Azerbaijan Attempts to Serve Degrading 'Humanitarian Aid' to the People of Nagorno-Karabakh: Gurgen Nersisyan

The Geneva Conventions concerning the protection of civilians prohibit degrading, insulting, and violations against human dignity in the name of 'humanitarianism.' This was stated by Gurgen Nersisyan, the Minister of State of Nagorno-Karabakh, on his Facebook page.

'As it did during the 44-day war in 2020 and since then, Azerbaijan has been implementing a plan to physically eliminate the people of Artsakh, to drive them out of Artsakh, and to forcibly subjugate those who remain. On November 9, 2020, while drafting and signing the trilateral statement, the participating parties reasonably concluded that the existence and security of the people of Artsakh, their access to necessary and safe goods, and the opportunity to receive proper medical care could only be ensured under conditions of unimpeded communication with the Republic of Armenia, for which the Lachin corridor was designated.'

'Since December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan has deliberately created a humanitarian crisis in Artsakh, closing the road connecting Artsakh to Armenia, during which it has organized killings, attempted murders, destruction and damage to property, and has used military force while threatening its application, all while beginning to impose humanitarian aid through its own means and proposed routes.'

'The demand from the people of Artsakh to receive humanitarian assistance from Armenia and to maintain a connection with Armenia is not an act of stubborn desire, but an awareness of their own safety and mere self-preservation, which fully aligns with the logic of international humanitarian law. One cannot be forced to acquire means of existence from someone who openly kills or threatens to kill them; such phenomena were characteristic only of slave-holding societies.'

'The Geneva Conventions guarantee humanitarian aid without discrimination and, conversely, prohibit degrading, insulting, and undermining human dignity under the guise of humanitarianism. Today, Azerbaijan attempts to serve such 'humanitarianism' to the people of Artsakh through coercion, violence, and the threat of violence,' the minister wrote.