Azerbaijan has blocked the access of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) vehicles to Artsakh, tightening the blockade of the region.
On July 11, the Azerbaijan State Border Service announced that passage through the Azerbaijani checkpoint along the Berdzor (Lachin) Corridor has been suspended. It accused ICRC vehicles of transporting packets of cigarettes, mobile phone parts and fuel to Artsakh. Azerbaijani authorities have opened a criminal case to investigate.
“The use for smuggling purposes of vehicles belonging to the ICRC and reserved for medical evacuation is not only a gross violation of the laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan, but also an abuse of the trust that our country has placed in the ICRC as a humanitarian organization,” the Azerbaijan State Border Service said.
Until July 11, the ICRC was the only entity permitted to travel along the Berdzor Corridor amid Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockade of Artsakh. The ICRC has delivered medical supplies to Artsakh and transported patients requiring medical treatment to Armenia.
The ICRC said that four hired drivers whose vehicles temporarily displayed the ICRC emblem attempted to transport the commercial goods. “These individuals were not ICRC staff members and their service contracts were immediately terminated by the ICRC,” the ICRC said in a statement.
The ICRC said it has evacuated more than 600 patients for medical care and delivered medical supplies, food, baby formula and other essentials to healthcare facilities and families. It added that its work along the Berdzor Corridor is “strictly humanitarian” and “done with the agreement of the sides.”
The ICRC and Russian peacekeepers have delivered humanitarian shipments to Artsakh since Azerbaijan blockaded the Berdzor Corridor in December 2022, leading to critical shortages of food and medical supplies. Since June 15, Azerbaijan has blocked the ICRC and Russian peacekeepers from traveling along the Berdzor Corridor, the sole route connecting Artsakh with Armenia.
Azerbaijani border guards temporarily permitted the transfer of medical patients by the ICRC on June 28. This came after Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with the head of the ICRC delegation in Azerbaijan Dragana Kojic on June 24. Azerbaijan suggested that the ICRC deliver humanitarian aid to Artsakh through Azerbaijan rather than through the Berdzor Corridor, according to a readout of the meeting by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry. However, Azerbaijani border guards denied access to the ICRC along the Berdzor Corridor this week.
Government-based Azerbaijani protesters posing as eco-activists had closed the Berdzor Corridor from December 12, 2022 to April 23, 2023. They ended their protest after Azerbaijan set up a military checkpoint at the entrance to the corridor from Armenia, placing movement along the corridor completely under the control of Azerbaijani border guards.
Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan said that Russian peacekeepers have been using helicopters to transport cargo to their forces.
“The entire population of Artsakh is under the threat of starvation, and the international actors do not take any steps other than statements,” Stepanyan said on July 12. “I demand from the International Committee of the Red Cross to light the red alarm button of the danger of genocide. My people are betrayed by everyone’s criminal indifference.”
The NKR InfoCenter, the official media outlet of the Artsakh leadership, added that Azerbaijan uses humanitarian issues “as a leverage to put pressure on the peaceful population of Artsakh and create unbearable living conditions for them.”
The European Union expressed its support for the ICRC and called for the resumption of the ICRC’s activities in Artsakh, along with the immediate reopening of the Berdzor Corridor.
“It is the responsibility of the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that ICRC can continue its operations and prevent a potential humanitarian crisis,” EU spokesperson for foreign affairs Nabila Massrali said in a statement. “Their work along the Lachin corridor has been exclusively focused on providing the essential needs for the Armenian population in Karabakh and much needed humanitarian assistance.”
Since the closure of the Berdzor Corridor to the ICRC, pro-government media outlets in Azerbaijan have been criticizing ICRC activities in the South Caucasus. One outlet, Report.az, claimed that the ICRC is “fully under the control of Armenians” and “financed by our infamous neighbors,” referring to Russia and the West. The article further accused the ICRC of having “violated international norms and provided comprehensive support to the enemy” during the 2020 Artsakh War. It called for ICRC offices in Artsakh to be terminated.
The closure of the Berdzor Corridor to humanitarian shipments has also compounded fuel shortages in Artsakh. The public transportation system has come under pressure due to a lack of fuel. Artsakh authorities have restricted the operation of buses within Stepanakert and between the capital city and villages.
On July 8, the gas supply was briefly restored for the first time since March 21, only to be shut off again several hours later. Azerbaijan has periodically cut off the natural gas and electricity supply to Artsakh throughout the course of the blockade. Artsakh receives its natural gas and electricity from Armenia through lines that run through Azerbaijani-controlled territory.
EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Toivo Klaar tweeted that a “day that began with promise again ended in disappointment and frustration.” “As reiterated many times by the EU, it is crucial that the flow of energy supplies be restored without restrictions, as well as the movement of people and goods via the Lachin corridor,” Klaar said.
An opinion piece published in pro-government Azerbaijani news site Qavqaz.az said that the gas supply had been restored, then shut off, to pressure Artsakh residents into accepting Azerbaijani control over the region. “By resuming official Baku gas transportation, it shows the Armenian population that they will be provided with everything if they reintegrate into Azerbaijan,” the article says.
Advisor to the Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan ruled out this possibility. “The Azerbaijani authorities must realize that depriving us of gas, electricity, fuel and food cannot strip away our natural rights or break our spirit and will for freedom,” Beglaryan said.
Lillian Avedian
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How many violations of international, written agreements and civility must Azerbaijan violate before the western addicted petrol “Allies” back up their voluminous rhetoric with sanctions. And when will Armenia, if they must “negotiate”,
then our own set of demands before any serious talks. The current process tolerates Azeri barbarism and everyone smiles for the photo op.
Western states has lost popularity when they destroyed christian serbia for islamic bosnia and kosovo along the after lebanese civil war ended up for lebanese muslim and taef agreement done in saudia arabia which is was disaster for lebanese christians there is no international society only interesr seekers exist
You know who has ‘petrol’ among others? Serbia.
Blocking the Red cross access is outrageous. Who ever does that? But come Saturday, the Europeans will shake that sadist’s hand in Brussels like nothing happened. And to think his country is gonna honor any agreement signed with Armenia?
Armenia supported Kosovo in principle on the basis of self determination although doesn’t formally recognise it. Indeed the contrast between Kosovo which was enabled by the USA unlikely to have achieved much without it championing their cause and Arktash which was earnt by ones Armenian efforts yet misplaced faith in Russia and was obsinate about a settlement when in a position of strength and loss with Russia looking on expecting Armenia to remain just as loyal as though nothing happened should be borne in mind.
Through their barbaric blockade, Azerbaijan is actually slowly ethnically cleansing Artsakh of its Armenians. What was long feared would happen, was set in motion by that fascist regime last year. Armenians who had to leave Artsakh because of the war, for emergency reasons, or for any other reason, are not allowed to return to their homes and families there, since the start of the starvation blockade. How long will Azerbaijan be allowed to continue its crimes against the people of Artsakh with impunity and get away with it?
The sooner Yerevan Armenians get rid of Tuxov clowns, the sooner Azeris will get the taste of their own medicine. Simple is that, cause Turkey, Azeris, and current Armenia’s clowns are in cahoots together.
And you can lead Armenia to glory with wonderful memes on twitter from LA?
Our US lawmakers who have been appropriately informed about what is going on in Artsakh and continue to turn a blind eye are complicit in an ethnic cleansing campaign. Our time on earth is short and then we have to answer to a higher power. These indifferent lawmakers should be reminded of this. There is a God in heaven. He is always watching and he never sleeps.
I agree, and well said. This list is more complete: UN Nations, EU, NATO, Britain, USA, Israel, Turkey, CSTO, and Russia.
Our US lawmakers who have been appropriately informed about what is going on in Artsakh and continue to turn a blind eye are complicit in an ethnic cleansing campaign. Our time on earth is short and then we have to answer to a higher power. These indifferent lawmakers should be reminded of this. There is a God in heaven. He is always watching and he never sleeps.
Yet another meeting in Brussels but the corridor remains closed… I watched the belgian guy’s presss conference (Michel something),but hard to understand because of his poor english. Why not speak in his native Belgian French?
Barely one hundred years old the leader of, Fake Republic of Azerbaijan, claims that Artsakh is inseparable part of Azerbaijan. If this is not bad enough, a week ago, Haji Aliev, announced on Azeri national TV news channel, that Armenia in fact is, Western Azerbaijan. Suuure, it’s like him saying, ” I don’t have a hook nose, I just have a small face, that’s why my nose looks so big “.
We Armenians must demand in UN US EU Unrecognize Azerbaijan and Turkey and Bosnia Kosovo Albania to show solidarity with our bros ( Serbia ) kick out them every each international organization we’re Armenians world first christian nation we have power to do
Big Chief,
…and you must be one of, Convict Nikol’s, Hooligan, and incompetent public appointee, who destroyed Yerevan, during March 1 2000 riots, causing the deaths of one police officer and one army soldier. Memes don’t cause physical damage, however, toxic people like of you and your boss, Captain Disaster, will.
Brothers and sisters! The real problem we Armenians have is Russia. Let’s unite under the banner of freedom and democracy and let’s get rid of Russians from once and for all. As soon as we chase out those dictatorship loving Russians from freedom loving Christian Armenia, Christian Europe and USA will come and protect us right away like they are doing in Ukraine. Trust me. Let’s do it!!!
Sorry brothers and sisters, I forgot to add. And no problem if freedom loving forces of democracy in the Christian West decide not come to help us when we kick out them oppressive Russians. We are Armenian. We are golden. We will unite into a big massive fist and fight back both Russia and Turkish hordes. We will I tell you. So who’s with me? Let’s go!
At reader,
I agree,couldn’ve said any better. The Belgian, has poor command in English. He seems to have the word ‘PEACE’ confused for ‘PIECE’. I say this, cause each time,Erdogan’s private SHOESHINER, Nikol Pashinyan, returns to Armenia from meetings in Brussels with Michel, Armenia shrinks by 10 or 20 miles, and after each meeting, Michel, with heavy French accent, says, ” I have pghoposed PIECE OF 20 miles of Aghmenia, and PIECE of 20 miles of Nagoghno-Kaghaaaaaaaabakh, fogh 16 million baghels of KGHUDE oil fogh Eughope. So, vee agh oil happy. Meghsi.