Mher Margaryan's Letter to the President of the UN Security Council

On August 11, the Republic of Armenia addressed the United Nations Security Council demanding an urgent meeting regarding the worsening humanitarian situation due to the complete blockade of the peaceful population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN, Mher Margaryan, noted in his letter addressed to the President of the UN Security Council:

“In addition to the letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia to the President of the UN Security Council dated July 12, 2023, I am reaching out to you concerning the worsening humanitarian situation as a result of the forced complete blockade of the peaceful population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Since June 15, 2023, the extreme shortage of essential goods, including food, medicines, and fuel, has intensified after Azerbaijan completely closed the Lachin corridor, the only road linking Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the outside world, thereby prohibiting any entry to Nagorno-Karabakh, even for humanitarian purposes. The continuous, deliberate disruption of gas and electricity supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan has caused severe damage to the livelihoods of the people.

The cessation of all humanitarian supplies, combined with the gradual depletion of internal resources and targeted shelling of agricultural areas by Azerbaijani armed forces, has led to acute food shortages and the closure of shops. Due to the lack of primary foodstuffs and vitamins, nearly 2,000 pregnant women, around 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly individuals, and 9,000 persons with disabilities are struggling to survive under conditions of malnutrition.

Individuals with chronic illnesses, including 4,687 with diabetes and 8,450 with circulatory diseases, have been left with almost no medications. As a result of this situation, there has been an increase in deaths from various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and malignant neoplasms. During the period from January to July, compared to the same period of the previous year, the level of anemia among monitored pregnant women has reached nearly 90%, attributed to malnutrition and the absence or insufficiency of relevant medications.

Furthermore, the hot weather conditions and the lack of disinfectants and medicines pose a risk of epidemics in the region. Consequently, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are currently on the brink of a complete humanitarian disaster.

Azerbaijan's actions constitute not only a gross violation of the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, and international humanitarian law, but also directly violate the decisions of the International Court of Justice of the UN dated February 22 and July 6, 2023, in which Azerbaijan is required to “take all measures to ensure the unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles, and cargo in both directions through the Lachin corridor.”

The intentional creation of life-incompatible conditions for the population is nothing but a mass crime aimed at the indigenous people of Nagorno-Karabakh, forcing them to leave their homes and homeland. The application of such collective punishment against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh poses an existential threat to them if they are left to face the aggression of Azerbaijan alone.

Under the current conditions, the government of Armenia is requesting the intervention of the UN Security Council as the body responsible for ensuring global security and preventing mass crimes, including war crimes, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Referring to my letter to the President of the UN Security Council dated September 13, 2022 (S/2022/688) and the subsequent meeting of the Security Council held on December 20, 2022, we request the convening of an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council in accordance with the first paragraph of Article 35 of the UN Charter.

I also request that the Armenian delegation be allowed to participate in the Council meeting in accordance with the relevant provisions of the UN Charter and Rule 37 of the Security Council's procedural rules. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration.”