Artsakh's Human Rights Defender Issues Statement

The Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, Gegham Stepanyan, has issued a statement, which in particular mentions:

“This morning, the Azerbaijani side once again blocked the entry of patients returning from Armenia to Artsakh and their companions through the illegal checkpoint set up on the Hakari Bridge in the Lachin Corridor, as well as the entry of already limited quantities of medication, this time under the false pretext of 'smuggling.' There is no place in the world where vehicles belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are subjected to such detailed searches as at the illegally established checkpoint by Azerbaijan which is aimed at deliberately obstructing the mission of the only international humanitarian organization operating in Artsakh.

Azerbaijan clearly disregards the special status of the ICRC as defined by international law, which implies the inviolability of ICRC personnel, vehicles, and cargo. This is not the first case of Azerbaijan creating intentional obstacles to the ICRC's operations. Previously, the Azerbaijani side demanded passport and vehicle checks for ICRC drivers and patients being transported at the illegally blocked section. Due to the imposed obstacles, the delivery of medications and the bilateral transfer of patients by the ICRC to Artsakh was completely suspended for 10 days from June 15.

By disrupting ICRC activities, the Azerbaijani side once again demonstrates that humanitarian issues and the humanitarian crisis are being used as leverage to exert pressure on the peaceful population of Artsakh and create unbearable living conditions. Recently, the Azerbaijani state propaganda machine has actively propagated illegal demands to remove the ICRC office from Artsakh or subordinate it to the Baku ICRC office, constantly seeking opportunities to justify and implement such actions. This step is part of a chain of actions aimed at the realization of that vile policy.”