August 11, 2023

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The Republic of Armenia appealed to the UN Security Council with the request to convene an emergency meeting

On August 11, the Republic of Armenia appealed to the United Nations Security Council with a request to convene an emergency meeting regarding the deterioration of the humanitarian situation as a result of the total blockade inflicted upon the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN, Mher Margaryan, in a letter addressed to the President of the UN Security Council, particularly stated:

Further to the letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia addressed to the President of the Security Council dated 12 July 2023, I am writing in relation to the deterioration of the humanitarian situation as a result of the total blockade inflicted upon the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The severe shortage of essential goods including food, medicine and fuel has been particularly exacerbated since 15 June 2023, when Azerbaijan completely blocked the Lachin corridor - the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia and the outer world - by denying any form of access to Nagorno-Karabakh, including humanitarian. The continued deliberate obstruction of natural gas and electricity supply to Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan has been detrimental for the affected population and their livelihoods.

The suspension of all humanitarian deliveries, along with the gradual utilization of the limited domestic supplies, as well as the targeted shootings of the agricultural areas by the Azerbaijani armed forces has resulted in an acute food shortage and closures of shops. In the absence of essential food and nutrients, approximately 2,000 pregnant women, 30,000 children, 20,000 older persons and 9,000 persons with disabilities are struggling in conditions of malnourishment.

People with chronic diseases including 4,687 individuals with diabetes and 8,450 individuals with circulatory diseases are suffering from acute shortage of vital medicines. The situation has already resulted in a recorded increase of mortality, including from cardiovascular diseases and malignant neoplasms. From January to July, compared to the same period of the previous year, the level of anemia among pregnant women under medical observation has reached around 90% - largely, due to inadequate nutrition and the absence or insufficiency of medicines. Moreover, the hot weather conditions and the lack of sanitizers and essential medications create risks of epidemics in the region.

Today, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are on the verge of a full-fledged humanitarian catastrophe.

Azerbaijan’s actions constitute a flagrant violation of the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020 and the international humanitarian law and are in direct breach of the Orders issued by the International Court of Justice on 22 February and 6 July 2023, according to which Azerbaijan should “take all measures to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.”

The deliberate creation of unbearable life conditions for the population is nothing but an act of mass atrocity targeting the indigenous people of Nagorno-Karabakh and forcing them to leave their homes and homeland. Such an infliction of collective punishment upon the people of Nagorno-Karabakh constitutes an existential threat to them should they be left alone vis-a-vis the Azerbaijani aggressive policy.

Under current circumstances, the Government of Armenia requests the intervention of the UN Security Council, as a principal body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, to prevent mass atrocities including war crimes, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity and genocide.

With reference to the letter dated 13 September 2022 from the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2022/688), and in follow up to the meeting of the Security Council held on 20 December 2022, I would like to request that an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council be convened based on Article 35 (1) of the UN Charter.

I also ask that the delegation of Armenia be allowed to participate in the Council’s meeting in accordance with the relevant provisions of the United Nations Charter and pursuant to rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure of the Security Council.

I would be grateful if the present letter and its annex were brought to the attention of the members of the Security Council and issued as a document of the Council.

Please, accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

For more information: www.mfa.am/en/press-releases/2023/08/12/arm_unsc/12135