Nagorno Karabakh -=- ARTSAKH

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Armenpress.am

MP prepares urgent letters to int’l institutions over Azeri harassment of Armenian children in Lachin corridor

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11:59, 18 January 2023

YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. Member of Parliament Taguhi Tovmasyan, the Chair of the Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs Committee, said she is preparing urgent letters to competent international institutions regarding the Azeri harassment of Armenian children in Lachin corridor.

“19 children were subjected to psychological and emotional violence by Azerbaijan for being Armenians, one of them lost consciousness. I am preparing urgent letters to competent international institutions,” Tovmasyan said in a statement. “Azerbaijan doesn’t lay any single limit in ethnic hatred towards Armenians: they have persecuted even minor children who, accompanied by peacekeepers, returned to Artsakh to their parents in the conditions of more than a month later-long blockade of the only Artsakh-Armenia-world road by Azerbaijan.

However, the car was stopped by Azerbaijanis in the Shushi-Karin Tak area, on the blocked section of the Artsakh-Armenia-world road where agents of the Azerbaijani government posing as "eco-activists" are located.

10-15 Azerbaijanis in civilian clothes, with their faces covered, broke into the children's bus and subjected the children to psychological violence.

The criminal activity of Azerbaijanis was not limited to the mentioned extent: since the bus continued its way, the Azerbaijanis also defiantly threatened the Armenian children.

With such an impudent behavior the agents of the Azerbaijani government have violated the key provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which should be a subject of urgent investigation by the competent international institutions and concrete actions of punishment against Azerbaijan.

With the mentioned criminal action Azerbaijan made one more step toward the implementation of the genocidal policy against ethnic Armenians. In the conditions of silence of the civilized world the crimes by Azerbaijan against the humanity will be further seen,” the lawmaker added.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1101949.html?fbclid=IwAR33Jji1sIN6dwOr8JE5mDNIFh71qoS0jJEBNAs8KFpmFxJzqX8MHFKR_tk

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Armenpress.am

FAON submits petition in Dutch Parliament on urgent steps to unblock Lachin corridor

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12:12, 18 January 2023

YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. The Federation of Armenian Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON) started 3 days of Silent Protest in front of the Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) in order to bring the attention of political and public forces to the deepening of the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh, caused by the total blockade imposed since 12 December 2022 by the brutal regime in Azerbaijan, FAON said in a press release.

During the Silent Protest the delegation of FAON was received in the Parliament by the members of the Foreign Affairs committee of the Parliament headed by the Chairman of the Commission Rudmer Heerema. The FAON submitted to the commission a petition on the urgent steps to be undertaken in order to ease the deepening humanitarian crisis in Artsakh and unblock the only road connecting 120000 Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to the outside world.

The representatives of FAON presented to the Dutch MPs present (Rudmer Heerema – VVD, Kees van der Staaij – SGP, Jasper van Dijk – SP, Raymond de Roon – PVV, Agnes Mulder – CDA, Sjoerd Sjoerdsma – D66, Derk Jan Eppink – JA21, Caroline van der Plas – BBB, Kati Piri – PvdA, Don Ceder – CU, Ruben Brekelmans – VVD, Pieter Omtzigt – Omtzigt, Tom van der Lee – GL) the dire humanitarian situation on the ground and ways to fight the obvious actions against the local indigenous population of Artsakh by Azerbaijani authorities. These are aimed at ethnic cleansing as was confessed by Azerbaijani dictator.

The FAON is grateful to members of Dutch Parliament that attended the meeting and looks forward the debate on January 19th, where urgent actions on the unblocking the Lachin corridor will be on the agenda, also in preparing for next week meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers, where this subject will also be discussed.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1101950.html?fbclid=IwAR3Xqq62yfww4EhW6bBeCxhHKYOs6-Bxoj4CAJEOE2VWQsAQXrymg-Z1L9E

[MosJan]

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Armenpress.am

Lachin Corridor shall be under the control and protection of the Russian peacekeeping contingent – Artsakh MFA

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10:10, 19 January 2023

YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) commented on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement that the Russian peacekeepers are authorized to control traffic along the Lachin Corridor and that they have all capabilities for conducting vehicle checks.

In response to a query from ARTSAKHPRESS news agency, the foreign ministry said that in accordance with the Trilateral statement of 9 November 2020, the Lachin Corridor shall be under the control and protection of the Russian peacekeeping contingent.

ARTSAKHPRESS: How would you comment the statement made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that the Russian peacekeeping contingent, authorized under the Trilateral Statement to control movement along the Lachin Corridor, has all the possibilities to conduct vehicle checks?

Foreign Ministry of Nagorno Karabakh: In accordance with the Trilateral statement of 9 November 2020, the Lachin Corridor shall be under the control and protection of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. Thus, it is the Russian peacekeeping contingent that is authorized by the Trilateral Statement to control movement along the Lachin Corridor. There is no doubt that the Russian peacekeeping contingent has all the necessary capabilities, including technical, to conduct vehicle checks in order to ensure the safe functioning of the corridor.

At the same time, it should be noted that, according to the Trilateral statement, Azerbaijan shall guarantee the security of movement along the Lachin Corridor of persons, vehicles and cargo in both directions without any restrictions.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1102046.html?fbclid=IwAR1RoK6lSV4TO2l0XGqje1IZPHiDlY7qXQyTzkCtoNjRzY8-d9T1ZHnALMk

[MosJan]

[MosJan]

europe would not do anything to him... just the symbolic slap on the wrist

[MosJan]

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

 

Jan 19 2023

 

EU alarmed about humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh

The situation in the Lachin corridor, a mountain road that links Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, is not sustainable and creates tensions that run contrary to much-needed confidence-building efforts, Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean told the European Parliament on behalf of EU High Representative Josep Borrell on 18 January.

In a statement issued on 13 December, the European Union called on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure freedom and security of movement along the corridor, in line with commitments deriving from the trilateral statement of 9 November 2020.

“Restrictions to such freedom of movement are causing significant distress among the local population. The European Union is increasingly alarmed about the negative humanitarian impact resulting from the lack of food, medicine and other essential goods and medical services, in addition to regular disruptions to energy supplies and telecommunications,” the Commissioner told Parliament.

She added that the European Union’s humanitarian funding for 2022 amounts to €3.6 million that has been entirely given to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), being the only partner on the ground able to access Nagorno-Karabakh. The programme focuses on economic security and actions against weapon contamination.

Find out more

Press release

https://euneighbourseast.eu/news/latest-news/eu-alarmed-about-humanitarian-consequences-of-the-blockade-in-nagorno-karabakh/

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CATHOLIC HERALD, UK

Jan 19 2023

The West must mobilise to help Armenian Christians blockaded in Azerbaijan

Mark Jenkins

Pope Francis has expressed concern about the potential for a humanitarian catastrophe in the Caucasus. Some 120,000 Armenian Christians, resident in the landlocked Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, sometimes referred to as the Republic of Artsakh, are currently enduring an economic blockade.

The blockade of Artsakh has been imposed by Azerbaijan, and means a shortage of bread and other basic food, as well as the cutting off of gas supplies, for Armenians living in Artsakh, which is connected to Armenia via the Lachlin Corridor. The Lachlin Corridor is currently controlled, but only just, by hard pressed Russian troops who have been tasked with keeping the peace in the region.

Artsakh is 99.7 per cent ethnic Armenian, and almost its entire population are members of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the world’s most ancient community of Christian believers. Evangelised by the Apostles Thaddeus (Jude) and Bartholomew in the first century AD, Armenia became Christian in 301 AD – the first country in the world to become so.

Although the Armenian Church did not accept the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, it believes that its position, in respect of the dual nature of Christ, is in keeping with the teaching of Cyril of Alexandria. The Armenians also deny that they are Monophysites – the heresy that maintains that Christ had only a divine, and not a human, nature.

During WW1 an estimated one million Armenian Christians died at the hands of the Ottoman Government. The genocide included the forced Islamisation of Armenian women and children, and the death of hundreds of thousands of Armenians, force-marched by the Ottoman Army into the Syrian desert.

This destruction of the Armenian community helped prepare the way for the establishment of a secular ethno-nationalist Turkish state in 1923, in much the same way that the Ottoman persecution of Syrian and Greek Christians had also helped.

But the governments of both Azerbaijan, most of whom are ethnic Turks, and Turkey continue to deny that the genocide by the Turkish authorities ever took place, and Turkish government funded disinformation campaigns continue to contest it internationally.

After the post WW1 break- up of the Russian Empire, which had controlled much of the Caucasus since the nineteenth century, Stalin, who was notorious for his hatred of Armenians, incorporated Artsakh into Soviet-controlled Azerbaijan, and the issue of whether Artsakh was Armenian or Azerbaijani remained unresolved.

Amid the turmoil that accompanied the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 90s there was a flare-up of age-old tensions. Then, between 1991 and 1994, the Nagorno Karabakh war took place, during which there was a series of ethnic cleansing incidents.

Between 300,000, and 500,000 Armenians were internally displaced before a ceasefire was finally agreed in 1994.

In 2020 this ceasefire broke down, and war between Artsakh and Azerbaijan resumed. Azerbaijan succeeded in capturing back territory previously lost to Artsakh, before another ceasefire was agreed and Russia agreed to send in a peacekeeping force. During this second Nagorno-Karabakh war Azerbaijan took control over many territories, including several ancient churches and monasteries, that are fundamental to Armenian identity and culture.

On 12t December 2022, groups of so-called environmental activists from Azerbaijan blockaded the Lachin corridor. This group of activists is believed to have links with the Azerbaijani government, and be part of a Baku-based campaign to put pressure on the Armenian government in Yerevan.

Although the Lachin Corridor has been guarded by Russian peacekeepers since the ceasefire agreement that ended the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020, Russian military obligations in Ukraine, as well as creeping Azerbaijani influence in the region, have combined to erode the effectiveness of the peacekeeping forces and, as of 14 December 2022, Russian peacekeepers have been unable to reopen the Lachin Corridor for large-scale movement of traffic.

Russian peacekeeping efforts have been further hampered through their strict adherence to Rules of Engagement that prevent them from using force. Against this tense background, Baku has stepped up its propaganda operations in Karabakh, which includes the use of deliberate misinformation campaigns.

Recent events show that the simmering conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is as divisive and volatile as ever, even though Baku and Yerevan pledged to refrain from armed conflict at a summit convened by President Putin in Sochi, Russia, on 31 October 2022.

In the immediate future the re-opening of the Lachin Corridor is a priority if a humanitarian crisis is to be avoided.

Inevitably, wider geopolitical issues are also impacting on events in Artsakh. The EU’s desperate search for oil partners, following the 2022 imposition of sanctions on Russia, means that it has a powerful disincentive from taking action that might alienate Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani oil supplies are key to the success of EU efforts to break its dependence on Russia for oil.

Secondly, Russia’s involvement in Artsakh reflects Russia’s continuing claim to be a guarantor of security for marginalised Christian communities in the Middle East and the Caucasus, many of whose identities are threatened, not just by the forces of militant Islam, but also by the secularising influences of a West that is increasingly ambivalent about its own Christian roots.

It will be interesting to see whether or not the current EU preoccupation with the securing of oil deals with Azerbaijan will override any support for Armenian Christians, who believe that they are on the verge of suffering a humanitarian emergency. This desperate situation, overshadowed by the war in Ukraine, needs to be addressed seriously. The Pope’s concern is welcome, but this crisis for Armenian Christians calls for the urgent attention of all Western governments.

(Photograph credit: Getty images. Smoke rises after shelling in Stepanakert during ongoing fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. )

https://catholicherald.co.uk/the-west-must-mobilise-to-help-armenian-christians-blockaded-in-azerbaijan/

[Yervant1]

NEWS.am

Armenia - Jan 19 2023

Canada Parliament committee adopts unprecedented decision related to Karabakh

11:23, 19.01.2023

In an unprecedented move, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Canadian parliament unanimously adopted a motion, calling for a maximum of three meetings on the ongoing Azerbaijani blockage of the Lachin corridor and to hear directly from Artsakh State representatives, reports, the Armenian National Committee of Canada.

This is a historic move that will officially give an opportunity to representatives of Artsakh to speak in front of the Canadian Parliament.

The motion reads as follows; “That, pursuant to standing order 108(2) the Committee undertakes to hold a maximum of three meetings to study the present situation of the blockage of the Lachin Corridor, de facto isolating the Nagorno-Karabakh region; that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, the Ambassador of Armenia, the chargé d’affaires a.i. of Azerbaijan, representatives of the two communities in Canada, the Permanent Representative of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic to the United States and Canada and Gegham Stepanyan, the Nagorno-Karabakh Human Rights Defender be invited to testify by Friday, February 3, 2023; that the testimony and materials gathered by the community at these meetings be taken into consideration in the study of the security of the Azerbaijan Armenia borders and that deadline to submit additional witnesses to the clerk be at noon, on Friday, January 20.”

https://news.am/eng/news/740288.html

[Yervant1]

NEWS.am

Armenia - Jan 19 2023

Lemkin Institute: World cannot afford another Armenian Genocide

12:07, 19.01.2023

The world cannot afford another Armenian Genocide. The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention noted this with respect to the ongoing Azerbaijani blockade of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

“Azerbaijan is testing us. The Lemkin Institute implores powerholders in the world, especially the US President, the [German] Bundeskanzler, and [French President] Emmanuel Macron, to take the threat of genocide against Armenians in Artsakh seriously. The world cannot afford another Armenian Genocide,” the Lemkin Institute tweeted.

https://news.am/eng/news/740306.html

[Yervant1]

I wonder how "Twitter" will force fake sultan? How about sending some weapons!

 

Armenpress.am

Free movement through the Lachin Corridor should be restored immediately. Switzerland

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17:45, 19 January 2023

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. At the special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, Switzerland expressed concern regarding the ongoing obstacles to access through the Lachin Corridor and the resulting humanitarian consequences, ARMENPRESS reports the Eurasia Division of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said in a tweet.

"On January 17, at the special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, Switzerland expressed concern regarding the ongoing obstacles to access through the Lachin Corridor and the resulting humanitarian consequences. The free movement of people and essential goods should be restored immediately," reads the post.

Since December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan continues to keep closed the only road connecting Artsakh to the world, the Lachin Corridor, citing false environmental reasons.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1102119.html?fbclid=IwAR1Iwr29JB0Q4NPGXlmoNPfpGto-oXl9l2K0N5IsCyLdjxJSUmQNJ3l5EJ8

 

[Yervant1]

Russia attacks Ukraine, the whole world sends weapons. Azerbaijan attacks Armenia, some countries sends empty word salads! Disgusting!!!!!

[Yervant1]

 

Press Release

National Association for Armenian

Studies and Research (NAASR)

395 Concord Ave.

Belmont, MA 02478

Tel.: 617-489-1610

Email: hq@naasr.org

 

NAASR TO HOST PANEL ON “THE BLOCKADE OF ARTSAKH AND GLOBAL INDIFFERENCE”

 

The National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) will host an online panel discussion on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 12 noon Eastern / 9 am Pacific, entitled “The Blockade of Artsakh and Global Indifference.”

This program is co-sponsored by the NAASR / Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Series on Contemporary Armenian Issues, the Mashtots Chair in Armenian Studies at Harvard University, and the Society for Armenian Studies (SAS). This panel has been organized on short notice to discuss the causes and effects of the dearth of coverage in international media and responses by academic and human rights groups.

The webinar will be accessible live on Zoom (registration required) and on NAASR’s YouTube Channel.

The panel discussion will include the following: Dr. Bedross Der Matossian, Associate Professor of Modern Middle East History, University of Nebraska-Lincoln ; David L. Phillips, Director, Program on Peace-building and Rights, Columbia University Institute for the Study of Human Rights; Dr. Henry Theriault, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Worcester State University, and Past President, International Association of Genocide Scholars; and Lara Setrakian, Journalist and President, Applied Policy Research Institute, Yerevan, Armenia

Dr. Christina Maranci (Mashtots Chair in Armenian Studies, Harvard University, and President, Society for Armenian Studies) and Marc A. Mamigonian (Director of Academic Affairs, NAASR) will serve as moderators.

For more information contact NAASR at hq@naasr.org.

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

“It’s time to act to save the lives of 120,000 people” – Italian legislators on Artsakh blockade

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10:44, 20 January 2023

YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. A group of Italian Members of Parliament commented on the situation in Artsakh as a result of the Azerbaijani blockade of Lachin Corridor and the resolution adopted by the European Parliament. The legislators of the Chamber of Deputies said Europe and Italy cannot ignore the events in Artsakh.

“The European Parliament approved the joint resolution on the humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno Karabakh . A commitment that we will also bring to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber [of Deputies]. Italy and Europe cannot turn away from what is happening,” Democratic Party MP Andrea Casu tweeted.

The legislators emphasize that it is time to act to save the 120,000 people who are now blockaded.

Member of Parliament Giulio Centemero also commented on the adoption of the resolution in the European Parliament. “The European Parliament approved the joint motion of resolution for the protection of the population of Nagorno Karabakh who are held hostage as a result of the blockade of Lachin Corridor. It is time to act to save the lives of 120,000 people, including 30,000 children,” Centemero tweeted.

MP Emanuele Pozzolo also addressed the Azeri blockade of Lachin Corridor. He said that the West cannot remain in the role of an observer. “The West cannot continue to watch silently. There are shortages of food, medicine and fuel. The population, including 30,000 children and 20,000 elderly people, are on the brink of a huge humanitarian crisis,” he said.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1102159.html?fbclid=IwAR1R85wyNisPppM7OJHGNzR-KVLvIhs_uoqR27fBlVC0YSsV7vheHmhvEgc

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Armenpress.am

Artsakh supports EP calls to send fact-finding mission to Lachin Corridor to assess humanitarian situation

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16:51, 20 January 2023

YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. The Foreign Ministry of Artsakh welcomes the European Parliament's condemnation of the ongoing blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, as well as its call to immediately reopen the Lachin Corridor pursuant to the provisions of the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020, the Artsakh foreign ministry said in a statement.

“We welcome the European Parliament's condemnation of the ongoing blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, as well as its call to immediately reopen the Lachin Corridor pursuant to the provisions of the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020․ We express our appreciation to the members of the European Parliament who demonstrated a principled position on the need to put an end to the inhumane policy of Azerbaijan towards Artsakh and its people.

 

We support the calls to send a fact-finding mission to the Lachin Corridor to assess the humanitarian situation on the ground, as well as to grant access to Artsakh for international organizations in general. We highly appreciate the appeal of the European Parliament to the international community to be actively involved in the fate of the people of Artsakh.

 

In this regard, we reiterate that the blockade of Artsakh is only one of the components of the Azerbaijani plan to destroy the people of Artsakh. Having created unbearable living conditions, Azerbaijan seeks to expel the people of Artsakh from their homeland. We consider it important to concentrate the collective efforts of the international community on the implementation of specific measures to prevent the genocidal plans of Azerbaijan,” the foreign ministry said.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1102203.html?fbclid=IwAR3Ly4ckHPP4RmT1hDQTnbpkxxfQ9b5yF0AZ6Rf9bupuRTQ3RJW0eSp89O8

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

“Artsakh, stay strong” – Karen Khachanov signs camera lens after beating American Frances Tiafoe at Australian Open

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17:12, 20 January 2023

YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. Russian tennis player of Armenian descent Karen Khachanov (20th in the world) qualified for the round of 16 of the Australian Open by beating American Frances Tiafoe (17th), semi-finalist of the last US Open, 6-3, 6-4 , 3-6, 7-6 (11/9) Friday in Melbourne.

Traditionally, players sign the camera lens after the match. Khachanov wrote “Artsakh, stay strong”, expressing support to the Republic of Artsakh, which is currently blockaded by Azerbaijan.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1102204.html?fbclid=IwAR2gANeFOhOE6OTG1xUhAO2fSwDs8yNo2KzVEDYGuf5ydU1mUWIbq1j8ZIM

[Yervant1]

European Parliament

Jan 19 2023

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION : B9-0075/2023

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh

17.1.2023 - (2023/2504(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Nathalie Loiseau, Petras Auštrevičius, Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Dita Charanzová, Olivier Chastel, Katalin Cseh, Vlad Gheorghe, Klemen Grošelj, Svenja Hahn, Karen Melchior, Urmas Paet, Frédérique Ries, Michal Šimečka, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Ramona Strugariu, Dragoş Tudorache, Hilde Vautmans
on behalf of the Renew Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0075/2023

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

Procedure : 2023/2504(RSP)

Document stages in plenary

Document selected :

B9-0075/2023

Texts tabled :

B9-0075/2023

Debates :

PV 18/01/2023 - 25.1
CRE 18/01/2023 - 25.1

Votes :

Texts adopted :

P9_TA(2023)0012

B9‑0075/2023

European Parliament resolution on the humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh

(2023/2504(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

1. whereas since 12 December 2020, so-called Azerbaijani environmental activists, later joined by military personnel have been blocking the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia and the outer world;

2. whereas by sustaining the blockade of the Corridor, Azerbaijan is in breach of its international obligations under the Trilateral ceasefire statement of 9 November 2020, whereby Azerbaijan shall guarantee the security of persons, vehicles and cargo moving along the Corridor in both directions;

3. whereas Russian “peacekeepers” failed to carry their duties and obligations under the Trilateral ceasefire statement;

4. whereas the blockade of the Corridor has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, significantly affecting the most vulnerable populations;

5. whereas the 120,000 Armenian inhabitants are besieged, which is hampering the flow of food, medical and energy supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh leading to food and fuel rationing and school closures; whereas Stepanakert hospitals are running out of medicines, while the transfer of ill patients to Armenia is impossible without mediation of the ICRC; whereas hundreds of families remain separated;

1. Deplores the tragic humanitarian consequences caused by the blockade of the Lachin Corridor and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; deplores the death of one person due to the current situation; reminds that the past blockades of Nagorno-Karabakh have had serious consequences for Nagorno-Karabakh and the overall peace in the region;

2. Urges Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally remove any obstacles hindering freedom and security of movement along the Corridor as prescribed by the trilateral statement of 9 November 2020; urges, furthermore, to refrain from undermining the functioning of transport, energy and communication connecting Armenia with Nagorno-Karabakh in the future;

3. Encourages the UN Secretary-General to visit the Corridor and express the illegal nature of the blockade; calls on Azerbaijan to ensure unimpeded access of international organisations to Nagorno-Karabakh and the Corridor to assess the humanitarian situation and provide necessary humanitarian assistance;

4. Condemns Russian “peacekeepers”’ inaction; considers that their replacement with the OSCE international peacekeepers, under a UN mandate, should be negotiated urgently;

5. Stresses that a comprehensive settlement is needed and that the process of achieving peace and determining Nagorno-Karabakh’s future legal status should comply with the norms and principles of international law, the UN Charter and the OSCE 1975 Helsinki Final Act;

6. Deplores the repeated inflammatory rhetoric of President Aliyev and his call to the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh to leave, which would trigger ethnic cleansing;

7. Condemns Azerbaijan’s continued policy of erasing Armenian cultural heritage in and around Nagorno-Karabakh in violation of international law and the International Court of Justice decision; calls for the restoration of damaged sites; urges Azerbaijan to allow UNESCO’s fact-finding mission without preconditions;

8. Urges the EU to be actively involved and ensure that the inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh are no longer held hostage by Baku's activism and Moscow's immobility;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to Armenia, Azerbaijan and international institutions.

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-9-2023-0075_EN.html

[Yervant1]

Armenpress.am

Situation around Lachin corridor is serious and solutions have to urgently be found – EU’s Toivo Klaar

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10:10, 23 January 2023

YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar says the situation around the Lachin corridor is serious and solutions have to urgently be found.

“Back in Yerevan for a day of meetings. The situation around the Lachin corridor is serious and solutions have to urgently be found. I look forward to discussions to explore ways forward. The EU goal remains a comprehensive Armenia-Azerbaijan settlement,” Klaar tweeted.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1102301.html?fbclid=IwAR3OxSJdLpFoLNtrsDalZ_6dxdOqrztMKSHmijsmh6f0EG93dHTLMWcwbkk

[Yervant1]

When will the expression of concern turn to action? No more word salad!

 

Armenpress.am

United States Chargé d'Affaires underscores need for full restoration of free movement through Lachin corridor

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11:44, 23 January 2023

YEREVAN, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. United States Embassy in Armenia Chargé d'Affaires Chip Laitinen expressed concern for the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the ongoing impeded access along the Lachin corridor, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement on Chargé d'Affaires Chip Laitinen’s January 20 meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan.

“In a January 20 courtesy call, Chargé d'Affaires Chip Laitinen congratulated Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan on his appointment. CDA Laitinen expressed concern for the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the ongoing impeded access along the Lachin corridor. He underscored the need for the full restoration of free movement through the corridor․ He also underscored our support for a sovereign, independent and democratic Armenia, at peace with its neighbors,” the U.S. Embassy said.

 

 

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1102315.html?fbclid=IwAR0BeZPTZ5IeGu2xxu9B8tWfgax28PVcwuqPS4lAPf-sCZfGxLz0ELCEQKs

 

[Yervant1]

PanArmenian, Armenia

Jan 23 2023

BBC HARDtalk: State Minister says Karabakh people will stay strong

January 23, 2023 - 16:39 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Minister of State Ruben Vardanyan spoke to the BBC’s HARDtalk on Sunday, January 23, expressing conviction that his people will stay strong amid Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor.

“It’s very important for the world to know what’s happening in a locked out territory, where 120 thousand people living in their own homeland for thousands of years and fighting for their independence during the last 35 years, have been blocked by Azerbaijani “eco-activists” since December 12. With support from the Azerbaijani state, they now control the road, and we don’t get anything [from anywhere] except from the Red Cross and Russian peacekeepers. We have no gas, limited electricity; no food and medicine, no gasoline can enter our territory without the Red Cross and the Russian peacekeepers,” Vardanyan said.

“From 1988 Armenians of Artsakh have been saying “we will not be part of Azerbaijan.” And they fight for their freedom. Today we are posing a very clear questions to the world, saying “do we have a right to self-determination, especially in a state that violated all the human rights for its own people?”

He reminded that children returning to Artsakh after spending six weeks in Armenia were stopped, and psychologically abused by the Azerbaijanis.

“There are no rights for the Azerbaijani people [in Azerbaijan], let alone Armenians. How do you see the possibility for an ethnic minority to get any rights or any defense? We don’t see any chance,” the Karabakh State Minister said.

Vardanyan reiterated that he was not going to leave Karabakh, as well as dismissed reports that there were discrepancies between the Artsakh and Armenia.

https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/305022/BBC_HARDtalk_State_Minister_says_Karabakh_people_will_stay_strong

Groong note: Watch the complete interview at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct32mm

[Yervant1]

But they don't mind flying the Ukrainian flag all over the sports games, why the double standard?

Jan 23 2023

Russian Olympic silver medallist Khachanov angers Azerbaijan with support at Australian Open for Nagorno-Karabakh

Russia’s Olympic silver medallist Karen Khachanov has caused a diplomatic incident with Azerbaijan following his celebrations during his run to the quarter-final of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

The 18th seed defeated the Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka. 6-0, 6-0, 7-6 on John Cain Arena yesterday to reach the last eight at the year's first Grand Slam.

Afterwards, the 26-year-old wrote a message on the television camera lens that said, "Keep believing until the very end. Artsakh, hold on!” - a reference to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

Earlier, after beating American Frances Tiafoe in the previous round, he wrote on the lens "Artsakh stay strong".

The tiny, mountainous enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh became a self-proclaimed and independent republic during the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

It is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, but its population is predominantly Armenian.

Khachanov’s mother is Russian, but his father Abgar is an Armenian from Yerevan.

Karen Khachanov, who has an Armenian father, has been writing messages of support for Nagorno-Karabakh on television camera lenses at the end of matches ©YouTube

The Azerbaijan Tennis Federation (FTA) has protested to both Australian Open organisers and International Tennis Federation (ITF) officials.

"Writing heartfelt wishes on the camera lens is a kind of tradition in tennis, but Khachanov abused this, using it in his dirty plans," the FTA said in a statement.

"The Azerbaijan Tennis Federation, taking into account the inadmissibility of such a provocation, sent a letter of protest to the International Tennis Federation.

"The letter reflects the facts of provocation directed against our country and presents legal documents.

“The FTA condemns such incidents, demanding that the ITF punish Khachanov and take drastic measures so that similar situations do not recur.

"We hope this issue will find its objective solution soon."

It was reported last week that Azerbaijani protesters, blocking the Lachin corridor, the lifeline road connecting the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia, since December 12, has trapped 120,000 Armenian residents.

Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of being behind the protests, saying the demonstrators are Government agitators and that they are sparking an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

But Baku has denied the accusations, saying that Russian peacekeepers closed the road, and that the protesters are concerned about illegal Armenian mining in the area.

The has been blocked by Azerbaijani protesters who have set up tents outside Shusha, a city retaken by Azerbaijan in a war in 2020 with Armenia for control of the region.

Khachanov has previously spoken of his support for Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh

"Despite the fact that I was born in Russia, I always say that I have Armenian roots," he said in an interview two years at the start of the latest conflict with Azerbaijan.

"It hurts to the depths of my soul to look at what is happening in the country, which I love very much.

"Innocent people and even children are dying."

Tens of thousands of people are currently trapped by Azerbaijani protestors in the Lachin corridor, the road connecting the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia ©Getty Images

Khachanov is next due to play 29th seed Sebastian Korda, of the United States, at the Australian Open tomorrow.

He has now advanced to the quarter-finals at all four Grand Slams, the 50th man in the open era to accomplish the feat.

Khachanov’s best performance was reaching the semi-finals at the US Open in New York City in 2021 shortly after reaching the final of the re-arranged Olympic Games in Tokyo, where he was beaten by Germany’s Alexander Zverev.

Russian players have been involved in other controversy at the Australian Open.

Due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine, players from Russia and Belarus are playing under a neutral status.

Australian Open officials banned symbols from the two countries after Russian flags were on display in the stands during the first-round matches involving Daniil Medvedev and Kamilla Rakhimova, who was playing Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl.

Russian world number six Andrey Rublev then complained to the umpire during his Australian Open second-round victory against Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori because of alleged verbal abuse from spectators holding a Ukraine flag.

 

https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1132843/khachanov-support-for-nagorno-karabakh

 

 

[Yervant1]

Jan 23 2023

‘An Impending Genocide’: ‘Annihilation of Christians’ Could Unfold in Nagorno-Karabakh, Baroness Caroline Cox Warns

By Billy Hallowell

Editor

A prominent member of the U.K.’s House of Lords is warning the ongoing blockage in Nagorno-Karabakh, a small, landlocked region between Armenia and Azerbaijan, is sparking rampant desperation and could “indeed be an impending genocide.”

Listen to the latest episode of CBN’s Quick Start podcast

Baroness Caroline Cox, a longtime member of Parliament, sounded the alarm on the impending crisis during an interview with CBN’s Faithwire last Thursday, explaining the dire impact the blockage of the Lachin corridor is having on the predominantly Armenian residents of Nagorno-Karabakh.

“It’s a continuity of aggression by Azerbaijan against Armenia,” Cox said, accusing the former of long “trying to carry out ethnic cleansing of the Armenians.”

Cox, 85, has been no stranger to such international conflicts, traveling globally and often risking her own life and safety to bring food, resources, and hope to people in need. She knows Nagorno-Karabakh intimately, having been to the region around 90 times.

“They do need prayers, because they’re in a terrible situation,” Cox said of those living in Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh.

Watch Cox’s warnings:

The most recent chaos in the region began Dec. 12, when individuals identifying as Azerbaijani protestors reportedly blocked the Lachin corridor, preventing food, medicine, and essential transport in or out of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

“[it’s the] only road connecting Armenia with the [area],” Cox said, citing a lack of medicine, food, and fuel. “The situation is now very, very serious. It may indeed be an impending genocide.”

Cox warned that, with the cold, people could die from hypothermia, among other horrors.

The Crossbench Life peer, who has served in Parliament since 1983, shared one story about a married mother of two who is a nurse. The woman said it has become “indescribably difficult to live” and take care of her children in Nagorno-Karabakh, as the blockade stretches into its second month.

“You’re deprived of the normal conditions that every human being needs to live,” the woman said.

Cox decried Azerbaijan’s actions with the blockade as “evil.”

“To inflict such suffering gratuitously is, in my view, evil,” she said.

As Faithwire previously reported, deadly battles between Armenians and Azerbaijanis have raged for decades, and an ongoing blockade has reignited those tensions.

“The last big war in Karabakh happened in 2020 and, at that time, Azerbaijan conquered most of the territory all around the enclave,” Joel Veldkamp, head of international communications at persecution watchdog Christian Solidarity International (CSI), told CBN’s Faithwire. “And so there’s only one road that connects the 120,000 Christians who live in this enclave to the rest of the world, and it’s protected by a Russian peacekeeping force.”

That 2020 incursion complicates the situation even more, with Cox noting Azerbaijan’s victory at the time in capturing a significant amount of Nagorno-Karabakh. With the blockade continuing, some fear a full-on invasion, with Azerbaijan reportedly seeking to return its residents to the land.

Another issue tied to the dispute is Nagorno-Karabakh’s Christian history, with Cox explaining how “some of the most holy Christian places in the world” are inside the region.

The baroness said at least one church has already been destroyed.

“The Armenians were the first nation in the world to become Christian,” she said. “Some of the oldest churches in the world [are] in that little land of Karabakh.”

Cox added, “The annihilation of Christians is very much part of the agenda.”

https://www.faithwire.com/2023/01/23/an-impending-genocide-annihilation-of-christians-could-unfold-in-nagorno-karabakh-baroness-caroline-cox-warns/

Groong note: Listen to the Podcast & watch the report at the link above.

[Yervant1]

New York Daily News

Jan 23 2023

Readers sound off on Armenia, Santos and gas stoves

By Voice of the People

The free world must end the war against Armenia

Yerevan, Armenia: It has been almost a year as people of the world continue to support Ukraine and strongly condemn Russia, calling its invasion “an unprovoked and unjustified military aggression.” Not far from Ukraine another tragedy continues: Azerbaijan’s military aggression against Armenia. While some consider both conflicts as a redistribution of influence zones on post–Soviet territories, for Armenia the conflict is vital: Azerbaijan not only annexes Armenian territories, but also threatens with yet another genocide, with food shortages and empty stores. And in spite of requests and tears of Armenians — no one really cares, and no one condemns Azerbaijan and Turkey, only a few just idle calls for peace to both sides. If it isn’t the disgusting hypocrisy!

When reading history books, people wonder how crimes against humanity are allowed, and why everyone stays silent. Today the world has changed, we are living in an open civilization where nothing could be hidden and where raising a voice “against” can change destinies. The silence today is leading to the genocide that may sound like an exaggeration in the 21st century but is a harsh reality for Armenians — one of the most ancient nations in the world.

The Western World is considered to be a protector of justice, human rights and minorities. We Armenians ask for justice in the world of pragmatism and hypocrisy. Come on, visit Armenia and Artsakh to see with your own eyes what is going on. We must protect the peaceful population from annihilation, condemn Azerbaijan and Turkey, and thereby stop the great evil of our century!

Eleonora Manandyan

For other stories click on the link below

https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-letter-jan-23-20230123-pslzo2y745d7lev24u6ta7rtyu-story.html