International Media Campaign Continues: 61 Countries Join Petition on Artsakh Blockade

Since December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan has imposed a blockade on the population of Artsakh, restricting the movement of vehicles and goods. During the first six months of the blockade, only Russian peacekeepers and a humanitarian mission from the Red Cross were allowed to enter and exit Artsakh. With their assistance, humanitarian supplies were delivered to Artsakh, and patients in critical condition were transferred to medical centers in Armenia. However, on June 15, Azerbaijan escalated its blockade measures. The construction of a concrete barrier at the Hakari Bridge also blocked access for peacekeepers and the Red Cross to Artsakh. Under these conditions, the situation is becoming increasingly dire.

One of the reasons for this is the limited coverage of the issue in international media. The Unblock Humanity initiative has been addressing this gap for over two months by conducting an international media campaign regarding the blockade: running advertising campaigns on social media, connecting with international reporters and influencers, and actively collaborating with the Armenian diaspora.

As part of these efforts, a video has been created that emphasizes specific points for the target audience. It directs viewers to the website unblockhumanity.com, where they can access calls to action. Currently, a letter is being sent to the UN Secretary-General, with the number of letters already exceeding 3,000.

“The Unblock Humanity initiative is a call directed at all humanity. The blockade of Artsakh is not just an issue for the Armenian people, but for all democratic humanity. Sadly, many people around the world remain unaware of this crisis. Despite this, there are positive trends. The petition launched as part of the initiative has seen participation from individuals across 61 countries,” notes Aida Janjughazyan, one of the coordinators of the initiative.