Monday, August 28 2023 16:00

ArmInfo.Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic called for the  restoration of free movement along the Kashatagh (Lachin) corridor and to ensure the rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"I remain seriously concerned about the humanitarian situation in  Nagorno-Karabakh and the human rights of its population following the  blocking of the road running through the Lachin Corridor since  December 2022. I reiterate the call I made at that time to restore  free movement along that road" said today Council of Europe  Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatovic. 

"Despite my calls and those of numerous other international  stakeholders, the humanitarian and human rights situation in the area  has reportedly further deteriorated, affecting particularly the most  vulnerable, due to the prolonged disruption in the movement of people  and access to food supplies and urgent medical care. The  International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is for the  moment the only international humanitarian organisation operating  across the Lachin Corridor, indicated that the population was facing  a lack of life-saving medication and essentials.

The relevant stakeholders should immediately find a solution to avoid  any further deterioration of the very dangerous situation the local  population is facing and guarantee safe and free passage to those  providing humanitarian assistance and those ensuring human rights  protection. As indicated in my 2021 Memorandum, efforts should be  made by Armenia and Azerbaijan to move forward on the path towards  reconciliation and ensure lasting peace for all people.

I confirm my commitment and readiness to engage with all the relevant  interlocutors and to travel to Nagorno Karabakh to assist in  overcoming the existing human rights challenges," the statement of  Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights reads.