Saturday, August 12 2023 22:05

ArmInfo. On August 11, the Republic of Armenia appealed to the United Nations Security Council  with a request to convene an emergency meeting regarding the deterioration of the humanitarian situation as a result of the total blockade inflicted upon the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN, Mher Margaryan, in a  letter addressed to the President of the UN Security Council,  particularly stated:

"Further to the letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of  Armenia addressed to the President of the Security Council dated 12  July 2023, I am writing in relation to the deterioration of the  humanitarian situation as a result of the total blockade inflicted  upon the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The severe shortage of essential goods, including food, medicine and  fuel, has been exacerbated since June 15, 2023, when Azerbaijan fully  blocked the Lachin corridor - the only road connecting  Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia and the outer world - by banning any  access to Nagorno-Karabakh, even humanitarian. The continued  deliberate obstruction of natural gas and electricity supply to  Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan has been detrimental for the daily  life of the people.

The suspension of all humanitarian supplies coupled with the gradual  utilization of limited domestic stocks, targeted shootings of  agricultural areas by Azerbaijani Armed Forces, has resulted in an  acute food shortage and closures of shops. Due to the lack of  essential food and vitamins, approximately 2,000 pregnant women,  around 30,000 children, 20,000 older persons, and 9,000 persons with  disabilities are struggling to survive under conditions of  malnutrition.

People with chronic diseases, including 4,687 individuals with  diabetes and 8,450 individuals with circulatory diseases, are left  almost without any medicine needed. As a result of this situation  there has been a recorded increase of mortality from several  diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and malignant neoplasms.  From January to July, compared to the same period of the previous  year, the level of anemia among pregnant women under medical  observation has reached around 90%. This is due to inadequate  nutrition and the absence or insufficiency of appropriate  medications. Moreover, the hot weather conditions and absence of  sanitizers and medicine create risks of epidemics in the region.

As a result, today the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are on the verge of  a full-fledged humanitarian catastrophe.

These actions of Azerbaijan constitute a flagrant violation not only  of the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020 but also of  international humanitarian law and are in direct breach of the Orders  issued by the International Court of Justice on 22 February and 6  July 2023, according to which Azerbaijan should "take all measures to  ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the  Lachin Corridor in both directions."

The deliberate creation of unbearable life conditions for the  population is nothing but an act of mass atrocity targeting the  indigenous people of Nagorno-Karabakh and forcing them to leave their  homes and homeland. Such an infliction of collective punishment upon  the people of Nagorno-Karabakh constitutes an existential threat to  them should they be left alone vis-a-vis the Azerbaijani aggressive  policy.

Under current circumstances, the Government of Armenia requests the  intervention of the UN Security Council as a principal body of  safeguarding global security and preventing mass atrocities including  war crimes, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity and genocide.

With reference to my letter dated 13 September 2022 addressed to the  President of the Security Council (S/2022/688), and in follow up to  the meeting of the Security Council held on 20 December 2022, I would  like to request that an emergency meeting of the United Nations  Security Council be convened based on Article 35 (1) of the UN  Charter.

I also ask that the delegation of Armenia be allowed to participate  in the Council's meeting in accordance with the relevant provisions  of the United Nations Charter and pursuant to rule 37 of the  provisional rules of procedure of the Security Council.

Please, accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest  consideration."