Situation in Artsakh Reaches Critical Point, Human Rights Defender Warns

Artsakh Human Rights Defender, Gegham Stepanyan, raises alarm about dire conditions.

In a concerning development, Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan has taken to his Facebook page to shed light on the critical situation unfolding in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

"For the past month, Artsakh has been isolated from vital humanitarian aid, facing a literal siege enforced by Azerbaijan. Since June 15, Azerbaijan's deliberate and comprehensive prohibition on the transport of essential goods, including food, has placed the lives of 120,000 Artsakh residents in jeopardy. Adding to the crisis, Azerbaijan has now halted the two-way movement of patients and crucial medical supplies facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

While Russian peacekeepers utilize helicopters to deliver their own supplies, the entire Artsakh population remains under the looming threat of famine. Despite the severity of the situation, the response from the international community has been limited to verbal expressions, lacking substantive action. The world watches as countless lives hang in the balance, waiting for decisive steps to be taken, rather than mere regrets expressed after the fact.

I urgently call upon the International Committee of the Red Cross to sound the alarm bell on the impending risk of genocide. Your intervention is paramount.

The people I represent have been abandoned, left to suffer due to the criminal indifference of the global community.

I reiterate, the situation in Artsakh has reached a critical juncture."

This stark message from Stepanyan highlights the urgent need for international attention and concerted efforts to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Artsakh. As the region grapples with dire conditions and looming dangers, the call to action resounds as a plea to prevent further suffering and loss of life.