Artsakh and Armenia and the effects of the blockade of the Lachin Corridor – a humanitarian catastrophe with the plight of children highlighted by the UN’s Samantha Power.
The following statement has been issued by Baroness Caroline Cox Lord Rowan Williams, Lord Alton of Liverpool, the Bishop of Coventry, Dr.John Eibner, and Tim Loughton MP.
We write with great urgency about the lamentable failure of the international community to resolve the continuing war of terror being waged by Azerbaijan, with a medieval style siege, inflicted in the 21st century and continuing into 2023, against the Armenian people in the historic Armenian land of Nagorno Karabakh – relocated by Stalin in Azerbaijan. Perhaps stretched and preoccupied by the horrors in Ukraine the media’s virtual silence is tragically allowing terrible atrocities to occur under the shadow of darkness.
Azerbaijan has blocked the only corridor from Armenia available for transport of essential food and medicines as well as for people separated from their families.
Acute shortages of essential supplies are causing serious concern and death from prevention of access to life-saving medical care in Armenia has already occurred.
Under international law there is responsibility to predict and prevent genocide, to protect victims and to punish the aggressor.
Despite condemnation by the UN Security Council, UNICEF and other international bodies, the media virtual black-out of this violence by Azerbaijan continues, enabling Azerbaijan to develop its genocidal policies with impunity.
We appeal to international leaders urgently to engage with this appalling tragedy and we hope that brave and distinguished journalists will shine a light on the suffering of a people who sadly know only too well the nature of genocidal crimes.
I am willing to provide any further information if this would be of interest,
The Baroness Cox
The Lord Alton of Liverpool
Rowan Williams, Former Archbishop of Canterbury
Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry
Dr. John Eibner, International President, CHRISTIAN SOLIDARITY INTERNATIONAL (CSI)
Tim Loughton MP, Chair, All Party Parliamentary Group for Armenia
Points to note
The Azeri Ambassador to Belgium has tweeted his thanks to the UK and Russia for derailing the UN Security Council joint statement. The FCDO has not commented on whether this is true.
Genocide may be about to unfold in Artsakh, and the West Has Secured a Front-Row Seat: : https://countercurrents.org/2022/12/genocide-is-about-to-unfold-in-artsakh-and-the-west-has-secured-a-front-row-seat/
It’s Time To Call Nonsense On Azerbaijan’s Corridor Demands: : https://www.19fortyfive.com/2023/01/its-time-to-call-nonsense-on-azerbaijans-corridor-demands/
This article explains the ceasefire agreement and the blockade.
As tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians remain trapped inside the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, hundreds are currently locked out amid an ongoing blockade by Azerbaijani activists. Photojournalist Tom Videlo made the following report from southern Armenia.https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-azerbaijan-blockade-nagorno-karabakh/32198756.html
More eye witness accounts:
Pharmacies in Artsakh are lacking essential drugs for adults and kidsDay 11 of Artsakh blockade: the central market of Stepanakert is emptying outhttps://twitter.com/artsakhombuds/status/1609113677973553154?s=46&t=XE06xwhBL1S3qJ4ctYNbsQ There are reports on Azatutyun:https://www.facebook.com/azatutyun/videos/1137205666968081 Civilnet:
