Nagorno-Karabakh

"Azerbaijan's top leadership puts itself above international law;" Artsakh MFA

Artsakh MFA made a statement in connection with another disruption of gas supply. It is said in the report.

"On February 6, 2023, Azerbaijan closed the only gas pipeline between Armenia and Artsakh for the sixth time since the blockade of Artsakh. During the past 57 days, Azerbaijan disrupted the gas supply to Artsakh on December 13, 2022, for three days; on January 17, 2023, for one day; on January 18, for one day; on January 21, for four days and on January 28 one day, thus disrupting the everyday life activities of the Artsakh population and exerting psychological pressure on them.

Due to the actions of Azerbaijan, 120 thousand residents of the republic, including 30 thousand children, continue to suffer great difficulties in providing heating and hot water under severe transportation blockades and cold winter conditions.

The situation worsened even more due to the acute electricity shortage caused by the accident of the only high-voltage line coming from Armenia on January 9. The Azerbaijani side persistently obstructs the restoration works.

Such actions by Azerbaijan confirm that even after the signing of the tripartite declaration on the cease-fire on November 9, 2020, the official Baku did not give up its long-term policy of exterminating the people of Artsakh in the territory of their historical residence.

To achieve its goals, the top leadership of Azerbaijan resorts to the blockade of Artsakh. It disrupts the work of vital energy infrastructures, thus creating unbearable living conditions and subjecting the civilian population to incredible hardships.

Azerbaijan's inhuman actions prove that the top leadership of this country puts itself above international law and human moral norms. Ignoring the calls of many countries and international organizations to immediately lift the blockade of Artsakh, the decision of the European Court of Human Rights to ensure the free movement of people and goods through the Lachin Corridor, official Baku opposes itself to civilized society.

Such behavior has become possible under the conditions of impunity of the Baku regime, which has freed its hands to tighten further its criminal policy towards the indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh.

To prevent the destruction of the people of Artsakh under these conditions, we consider it necessary for the international community to direct its efforts not only to stop the blockade of Artsakh but also to take urgent measures, which will also include the use of an early warning, assessment and response mechanisms of Azerbaijan's genocidal policy.