ArmInfo. A protest meeting "We are Artsakh" is taking place in front of the French Embassy in Armenia. Among the protesters are Hadrut residents, including children, who had to leave Artsakh during 44-day war.
The protesters are chanting "We are Artsakh", "Open the road of life", "No to Artsakh blockade". The protesters are demanding that France, as OSCE MG co-chair country and UN Security Council member, take concrete steps to prevent Azerbaijan's genocidal and criminal policy.
"We are urging effective steps to lift the Artsakh blockade and legal assistance to Artsakh," the protesters stated.
Armenia's first human rights defender Larisa Alaverdyan joined the protesters. She recalled that the French Parliament twice recognized Artsakh's independence, pointing out she expects the French foreign minister to take concrete steps. She welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron's calls, Ms Alaverdyan ointed out a need for sanctions against Azerbaijani leaders.
"I have never called for sanctions against people and hate speech has never been heard from my mouth. In question is a criminal policy and persons pursuing this policy," Ms Alaverdyan said.
She made demands to France as a UN Security Council member: assisting the unblocking of the Lachin corridor.
"France must prove that it is not only calls, but also actions that will unblock the road. Stop being a bystander," she said.
Ms Alaverdyan stressed that Artsakh has not been nor must it ever be part of Azerbaijan. She holds expectations of France and is sure that government will not reverse its policy, but will show that human rights and international law have always been sacred and inviolable for France.
A French embassy staff member went out and talked to two of the protesters who handed over a letter containing demands to the embassy. The protesters marched from the French Embassy to the U.S.Embassy in Armenia.
Azerbaijan has been blockading Artsakh since December 12, 2022.