The International Community Must Realize That the Time for Fruitless Discussions Has Long Passed: Artsakh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

We strongly condemn Azerbaijan's targeted and systematic attempts to create famine in the Republic of Artsakh in order to achieve its own geopolitical objectives. This was stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh.

“We again emphasize that deliberately obstructing the importation of humanitarian supplies necessary for the physical survival of the besieged people of Artsakh, as well as carrying out premeditated actions aimed at causing famine, suffering, and deprivation to the civilian population, constitutes a gross violation of international law and qualifies as a war crime.

The entirety of Azerbaijan's criminal actions against the people of Artsakh over the past eight months of inhumane blockade and attempts to forcibly subject them to Baku's jurisdiction creates extremely dangerous preconditions for Azerbaijan's continuous crimes against humanity to evolve into acts of genocide.

In this context, we consider any attempt to legitimize Azerbaijan's internationally illegal actions, including giving direct or indirect approval to proposals that are part of Baku's policy of not fulfilling its international obligations regarding the Lachin corridor and tightening the blockade of Artsakh, as irresponsible.

Any support for Azerbaijan's criminal agenda, which has deliberately created a humanitarian disaster in Artsakh and systematically exacerbated it, not only increases the suffering of innocent people but also violates fundamental principles enshrined in international law, including human dignity and rights.

The civilized international community has long rejected justifications based on the alleged right to massive human rights violations under the guise of state sovereignty, holding those responsible for such crimes accountable before military tribunals and creating a legal basis to prevent such crimes in the future.

Azerbaijan's proposals and actions that degrade the dignity of the people of Artsakh must be categorically rejected. At the core of human rights lies human dignity, which serves as a guarantee of respect for these rights. Violating the dignity of the people of Artsakh means denying their fundamental rights and paves the way for Azerbaijan to commit even more inhumane crimes.

We strongly urge key international actors, who are genuinely interested in establishing stable and just peace in Artsakh and the entire region, to take decisive individual and collective steps to end Azerbaijan's blockade and criminal policy. Once again, we insist that the UN Security Council fulfill its role in maintaining international peace and security entrusted to it by the peoples of the United Nations and put an end to the criminal, inhumane blockade of Artsakh.

We expect that, as a first step towards halting the humanitarian disaster in Artsakh, the UN Security Council will urgently demand the full and unconditional implementation of the verdict issued by the International Court of Justice on February 22, 2023, and reaffirmed on July 6, 2023, ensuring unhindered humanitarian access to Artsakh, as well as opening a humanitarian air corridor.

We find it absolutely unacceptable to remain a bystander and indifferent to the unfolding humanitarian disaster in Artsakh, where the situation could sharply worsen at any moment. The international community must realize that the time for fruitless discussions has long passed, and now is the time to take concrete and urgent actions stemming from the interests of people living under existential threat,” the statement reads.