The Turn Now Belongs to Those Making Political Decisions on the International Stage: Artsakh Ombudsman

During the 8-month-long blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, efforts by various actors from Artsakh, Armenia, and the diaspora have successfully secured explicit, targeted assessments from influential international human rights and humanitarian organizations, as well as several esteemed experts regarding the deepening humanitarian crisis in Artsakh. Organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, the Global Center for Responsibility to Protect, the International Committee of the Red Cross, special rapporteurs of the UN Human Rights Council, the Lemkin Institute for the Prevention of Genocide, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, and several other rights defenders have expressed their positions during this time, reported Gegham Stepanyan, the Ombudsman of Artsakh.

“The statements from all human rights and humanitarian organizations unanimously demand that the Azerbaijani authorities cease the blockade of the Lachin corridor, ensure the free and unhindered movement of people, goods, and vehicles through the corridor, and put an end to the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh. In response, the Azerbaijani authorities have given contemptuous and insolent replies, plainly demonstrating disrespect towards everyone, as if everyone is lying and they alone are correct. This behavior of Azerbaijan once again highlights the simple truth that Azerbaijan has neither the commitment nor the desire to fulfill the internationally assumed obligations. Moreover, in view of all institutions, it continues to disregard human rights and implements genocidal policies against the people of Artsakh.

The assessments of international human rights organizations should not remain on paper. These targeted statements should form the basis for the positions of various countries and international organizations to save the people of Artsakh from starvation, ethnic cleansing, and genocide. This is precisely why these organizations were created – to prevent mass atrocities and violations of human rights. Human rights defenders have expressed their position, and now it is the turn of those making political decisions on the international stage to demonstrate that they will not allow the criminal Azerbaijani authorities to undermine the authority of internationally renowned human rights and humanitarian organizations.

Otherwise, the indifference shown and disregard for authoritative opinions will lead to irrevocable human consequences, for which international actors will bear direct responsibility for complicity,” Stepanyan wrote.