Azerbaijan Conflict: Artsakh President Urges Action Over Waiting for Major Tragedies

Artsakh President Araik Harutyunyan has expressed concern and urgency regarding the situation in Artsakh through a post on his Facebook page.

“Dear compatriots, In recent days, there has been a significant increase in international attention to the issue of Artsakh and pressure on Azerbaijan. In particular:

• It is commendable that, considering the appeals of the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh, the Republic of Armenia has sent a letter to the President of the UN Security Council requesting an emergency meeting concerning the worsening humanitarian situation due to the complete blockade of the peaceful residents of Nagorno-Karabakh. Importantly, the letter also officially emphasizes the goal of preventing genocide.
• It is also welcome that a group of UN experts has made a statement highlighting the urgent need for the opening of the Lachin corridor and ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of all individuals.
• It is evident that my recent message to the international community and the report by Luis Moreno Ocampo, the first Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, have received significant attention in international media. As a result, dozens of leading media outlets have reported on the current situation and presented assessments and calls from the authorities of Artsakh and leading experts concerning the ongoing genocide.
• A significant expert opinion and appeal was also articulated in the statement by well-known genocide scholars, stressing the immediate and decisive action needed to prevent genocide against the people of Artsakh.

Indeed, various statements have been made in recent days by representatives of several international organizations and states, where there is a visible increase in the perception of the urgency for the implementation of practical international actions. Undoubtedly, time is of the essence for our people, and delays cost human lives and suffering.

We urge and demand all key actors not to delay and not to wait for broader tragedies, but to move on to practical and effective steps to halt the ongoing genocide,” concluded Harutyunyan.