Obstruction of ICRC Aid Deliveries by Azerbaijan is a War Crime, Says Artsakh Foreign Ministry

The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh has issued a statement regarding Azerbaijan's obstruction of ICRC vehicles movement through the Lachin corridor. The statement reads:

“On July 11, the Azerbaijani side once again prohibited the movement of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) vehicles through the Lachin corridor at an illegally established checkpoint, thereby grossly violating norms of international humanitarian law as well as the commitments undertaken in the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020 and the decisions of the International Court of Justice on February 22 and July 6, 2023. The fact that Azerbaijan justifies these unlawful and inhumane actions by claiming that ICRC vehicles are transporting ‘unauthorized items’ such as mobile phones and accessories, cigarettes, and fuel only proves the ongoing transport, food, and energy blockade of Artsakh, the acute shortage of essential goods, as well as Baku's hostile and inhumane attitude towards the people of Artsakh.

We reiterate that under the norms of international humanitarian law, Azerbaijan is obliged not to obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged Artsakh. Violation of this obligation constitutes a serious breach of the provisions of the Geneva Conventions and qualifies as a war crime.

Considering the ICRC's statement on July 11 regarding the incident, it is necessary to emphasize that Azerbaijan's actions directly violate the Trilateral Statement signed by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia on November 9, 2020, which specifically reserved the control of the Lachin corridor for Russian peacekeeping forces to ensure the connection between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia and to guarantee the safety of citizens, vehicles, and goods traveling in both directions through the Lachin corridor.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan’s continued blockade of the Lachin corridor is a breach of two legally binding decisions of the International Court of Justice, which stipulate that Azerbaijan is obliged to ensure the unhindered movement of people and goods through the Lachin corridor in both directions. We emphasize that international actors should be guided by the legally binding decisions of the International Court of Justice regarding the Lachin corridor.

By obstructing the humanitarian activities carried out by the ICRC, including medical evacuations, Azerbaijan not only disregards its international obligations but also exacerbates the already severe humanitarian situation in Artsakh. This blockade effectively deprives individuals who are in urgent need of medical assistance of access to it, which can lead to serious consequences, including death.

The disruption of the ICRC’s humanitarian work, the complete blockade of Artsakh since June 15, Azerbaijan's persistent obstruction of providing humanitarian assistance to the population of Artsakh, as well as the political measures aimed at creating unbearable living conditions in Artsakh, are yet another manifestation of Azerbaijan’s genocidal intentions towards the people of Artsakh.

We deem it necessary for the international community to condemn Azerbaijan’s illegal actions and exert pressure to restore the capability of ICRC to conduct humanitarian transport and medical evacuations through the Lachin corridor, based on the principle of respecting human dignity, as well as to collectively work to protect the rights and safety of the people of Artsakh. We once again remind that all parties involved in the peace process bear responsibility for ending the criminal blockade of Artsakh that has lasted for 7 months and ensuring the full implementation of Azerbaijan's commitments undertaken in the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, as well as the decisions of the International Court of Justice.”