ArmInfo. The Public Chamber of the EAEU countries issued an appeal on the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the blocking of the Berdzor (Lachin) corridor.
In particular, it says: "We, the participants and supporters of the Public Chamber of the EAEU countries from Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, express concern about the humanitarian situation that has developed in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of blocking the only key road known as the Lachin Corridor, which brought vital goods, food and medical care to the region. In addition, gas supplies are cut off in Nagorno-Karabakh, there are blackouts,"
It is noted that as a result, 120 thousand people, including 30 thousand children, found themselves in a difficult situation.
The Chamber emphasized that all this poses a threat to the health and life of people and is a violation of the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols of August 12, 1949 and June 8, 1977, relating to the protection of civilians and victims of international armed conflicts.
"According to which these documents: acts of violence or threats of violence with the main purpose of terrorizing the civilian population are prohibited (Article 51);
the use of civilian starvation as a method of warfare is prohibited (Article 54);
it is prohibited to attack or destroy, remove or render unusable objects necessary for the survival of the civilian population..., regardless of the motive, whether for the purpose of starving civilians, forcing them to leave, or for any other reason (Article 54 ).
The Protocol specifically provides for "Relief Operations": "The Parties to the Conflict and each High Contracting Party shall permit the prompt and unimpeded passage of all supplies, equipment and personnel provided for the purpose of providing assistance under this Section, and shall facilitate it, even if such assistance is intended for the civilian population of the adverse party" (Article 70).
At the same time, the statement recalls that, in accordance with the tripartite statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia dated November 9, 2020, the Lachin corridor should be free for the passage of goods, citizens and vehicles in both directions.
"We, the participants and supporters of the Civic Chamber of the EAEU countries from Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, are sincerely concerned about the current difficult situation, close to a humanitarian catastrophe, and we appeal to the leaders of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, international public and humanitarian organizations with a call to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.
We call on the leadership of Azerbaijan not to bring the situation to a humanitarian catastrophe and unblock the "Road of Life", the Chamber concluded.