Experts urge Azerbaijan to lift blockade of vital corridor to stop humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh
A group of UN human rights experts* on Monday expressed concern over the continuing Azerbaijani blockade of the Lachin corridor, a situation that is causing a serious humanitarian crisis in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. This disputed territory is an enclave where a majority of Armenians live, but is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan.
The four experts noted that the closure, which has been blocking the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia for seven months, is causing severe shortages of basic foodstuffs, medicines and hygiene products among the population.
It also affects the functioning of medical and educational institutions and threatens the lives of residents, especially children, the disabled, the elderly, pregnant women and the sick.
The experts said the blockade is "a humanitarian emergency creating severe shortages of basic foodstuffs such as sunflower oil, fish, chicken, dairy products, cereals, sugar and baby milk powder".
They also warned of the rapid depletion of medical stocks and difficulties in hospital care, as dwindling fuel supplies make it difficult for ambulances to operate.
Free movement of people, vehicles and goods must be restored urgently
They therefore urged the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately restore the free and safe movement of people, vehicles and goods through the Lachin corridor in both directions, in compliance with the November 2020 ceasefire agreement.
They also called on Russian peacekeepers deployed in the region to protect the corridor under the terms of that pact.
"We urge the government of Azerbaijan to comply with its international obligations to respect and protect human rights, including the right to food, health, education and life. We also underline the importance of cooperation and dialogue between all parties involved to find a peaceful and sustainable solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," the experts said.
* Michael Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on the right to food; Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Claudia Mahler, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons; Gerard Quinn, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities.
The Special Rapporteurs are part of what are known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN human rights system, is the general name for the Council's independent investigative and monitoring mechanisms that deal with specific country situations or thematic issues around the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity.