Friday, January 27 2023 17:17

ArmInfo. Secretary General of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) Simona Granata Menghini responded to the letter sent by  President of the Association of the RA Judges, Alexander Azaryan, on January 14,  regarding Azerbaijan's blocking of the Lachin Corridor, the only road  connecting Artsakh with Armenia and the outside world. This was  reported by the press service of the Association of Judges of the  Republic of Armenia.

In a response letter, the Secretary General of the Venice Commission  assured Azaryan that the Council of Europe is closely monitoring the  situation. In particular, on December 14, 2022, the Secretary General  of the Council of Europe expressed concern about the humanitarian  situation around the Lachin Corridor, emphasizing that "dialogue is  the way to avoid the escalation of the tense situation, and there is  also a willingness to help in the reconciliation of Armenia and  Azerbaijan."

"On December 16, observers of the Parliamentary Assembly of the  Council of Europe, who are monitoring the situation between Armenia  and Azerbaijan, issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over  the disruption of free movement through the Lachin Corridor, which  has created difficulties for the civilian population. With the demand  to restore the free movement of the people.  You are indeed aware  that on December 21, the ECtHR granted Armenia's request and made a  decision to apply interim measures against Azerbaijan, which will  ensure the transfer of seriously ill persons to Armenia, as well as  the transfer of persons who were left without a roof and means of  living along the way.

On December 22, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of  Europe, Mrs. Dunja Milatovic, made a statement in which she also  expressed concern that the long-term closed road deprives people of  the opportunity to reach their homes, get vital goods, medical  supplies and food, and all that prevents the people of  Nagorno-Karabakh from enjoying human rights. The commissioner also  appealed to those responsible for maintaining public order regarding  the security of the Lachine Corridor to take all necessary steps to  restore free movement on the road and viewed the matter as an urgent  measure to prevent the humanitarian situation from deteriorating, the  Secretary General of the Venice Commission recalled.

She added that the Venice Commission is an advisory organization  whose primary function is to provide legal advice to member states;  in particular, the Commission supports the legal and institutional  systems of member states in bringing them in line with European  standards, democratic and international experience, Human Rights and  laws.  "Therefore, although it is beyond the mandate of the Venice  Commission to respond to the situation in the Lachine Corridor, at  the same time, we fully understand the seriousness of the problem and  will forward your letter to the relevant bodies of the Council of  Europe. I also want to let you know that I'm ready for the further  process of the mentioned issue," Simona Granata Menghini noted.