UN Experts Called On Azerbaijan to Unblock the Lachin Corridor and End Humanitarian Crisis

The Embassy of Armenia in Switzerland reports that today UN experts expressed concerns about the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor which lead to a humanitarian crisis in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

As a result of the blockade, the population of Nagorno-Karabakh suffers from the shortages of food, medication and hygiene products. The blockade poses a significant risk to the lives of the residents – especially children, persons with disabilities, older persons, pregnant women, and the sick.

“The blockade of the Lachin Corridor is a humanitarian emergency that has created severe shortages of essential food staples including sunflower oil, fish, chicken, dairy products, cereal, sugar and baby formula,” the experts noted.

The experts called on Azerbaijan to comply with the terms of the ceasefire agreement of November 2020 and immediately restore the free movement of persons, vehicles, and cargo in both directions of the Lachin Corridor.

They also urged Russian peacekeeping forces to protect the corridor in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.

“By lifting the blockade, the authorities can alleviate the suffering of thousands of people in Nagorno-Karabakh and allow for the unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population,” the experts said.

“It is essential to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of all individuals during this critical time,” the experts noted.

“We urge the Government of Azerbaijan to uphold its international obligations to respect and protect human rights, including the right to food, health, education and life. We also emphasise the importance of cooperation and dialogue among all parties involved to find a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” the experts said.

Michael Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on the right to food; Gerard Quinn, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities; Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; and Claudia Mahler, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, have joined the call.