Author: Karapet Navasardian

 19:43,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS. Prominent genocide scholars have submitted an open letter to the UN Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, and Member States of the UN Security Council regarding the potential for genocide in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

Below is the full letter:

H.E. António Guterres
UN Secretary-General,

Mr. Volker Türk
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,

Ms. Alice Wairimu Nderitu
Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide,

UN Security Council Member States

9 August 2023

We, the undersigned scholars and experts on genocide, are writing to you with an overwhelming sense of urgency and concern about the potential for genocide in the Republic of Artsakh (also known as the Nagorno Karabakh Republic). As scholars deeply engaged in the study of genocide, we bear witness to the horrors of history, rigorously analyze past and present atrocities, working to prevent new genocides from occurring. Presently, we find ourselves profoundly concerned by the emergence of unmistakable warning signs of genocide in Artsakh. The most significant risk factor is the unlawful blockade of the Lachin Corridor, which serves as the vital link connecting Artsakh to Armenia.

Since December 2022, the Lachin Corridor, the sole lifeline connecting the Artsakh population to the outside world, has been unlawfully blockaded by Azerbaijani authorities. This distressing situation reached a critical juncture on June 15, 2023, when Azerbaijan sealed off this vital road, subjecting the Republic of Artsakh and its 120,000 residents to a dire state of siege. For the past two months, Artsakh has been forcibly deprived of its ability to access essential supplies such as food, medicine, and other critical goods. Even humanitarian relief efforts conducted by Russian peacekeepers and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have been obstructed, exacerbating an already grave humanitarian crisis.

The escalating humanitarian crisis has prompted the ICRC, the sole international organization with a presence on the ground, to issue a grave alert. In a public statement released on July 25 (https://www.icrc.org/en/document/azerbaijan-armenia-sides-must-reach-humanitarian-consensus-to-ease-suffering), the ICRC unequivocally documented that“The civilian population is now facing a lack of life-saving medication and essentials like hygiene products and baby formula. Fruits, vegetables, and bread are increasingly scarce and costly, while some other food items such as dairy products, sunflower oil, cereal, fish, and chicken are not available.”

Furthermore, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect has issued an alarming atrocity alert for Nagorno Karabakh(https://www.globalr2p.org/publications/atrocity-alert-no-358/), highlighting the persistent risk of enduring mass atrocity crimes.

Considering the aforementioned circumstances and drawing upon additional pertinent information provided by various impartial organizations, human rights organisations, and other relevant stakeholders, we, as experts in the field of genocide studies, hold the view that compelling indicators exist that in the absence of prompt and resolute action, a genocide targeting the ethnic Armenian population of Artsakh is a looming possibility. The prevention of genocide and safeguarding vulnerable populations stand as fundamental obligations of the global community, as underscored by the United Nations Charter and the Genocide Convention of 1948, along with subsequent pledges undertaken by international actors. Guided by these principles, we strongly urge member states and UN bodies to promptly and resolutely step forward, exercising their responsibility to forestall any additional loss of innocent lives and preclude the occurrence of large-scale atrocities.

Specifically, we call upon the United Nations to activate its early warning mechanism, as stipulated within its mandates, to expeditiously address the tangible and imminent threat of genocide in Artsakh. We urge a concerted international effort to bring this grave situation to the attention of the UN Security Council. The Security Council should take decisive action to avert the progression of genocide by urgently removing the blockade on the Lachin Corridor, thereby reinstating unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles, and cargo along this life-supporting corridor in both directions. Security Council action should also support of the Provisional Measures order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of 22 February 2023 (reaffirmed 6 July 2023), which ordered Azerbaijan to ‘take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions’. A Provisional Measures order is binding, and Azerbaijan remains in breach of its international law obligations by not complying with the ICJ’s order. Furthermore, we urge that the UN establish and send a fact-finding mission to Artsakh for a thorough analysis of data, on-site reporting, and engagement with local communities and organizations to identify and eliminate the consequences of the ongoing crime.

The prevention of genocide requires a collective effort, a unified resolve, and unwavering commitment from the international community. We urge the United Nations and its bodies to prioritize the prevention of genocide in Artsakh and take decisive action to protect the lives and dignity of thousands of innocent people.

Time is of the essence. We urge you to act swiftly and decisively, guided by the principles of the United Nations and the mandate to protect humanity from the scourge of genocide.

Respectfully signed,

Melanie O'Brien, Associate Professor of International Law, University of Western Australia; and President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars

Henry C. Theriault, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Worcester State University, Past President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (2017-2021)

Andrew Woolford, Professor, Head of Department of Sociology and Criminology, University of Manitoba, Past President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (2015-2017)

Israel Charny, Director of the Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide in Jerusalem, Past President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (2005-2007)

Armen Marsoobian, Professor of Philosophy, Southern Connecticut State University, Past First Vice President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (2019-23)

Elisa von Joeden-Forgey, Chair of Department of Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Keene State College, Past First Vice President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (2015-17)

Hervé Georgelin, Assistant Professor, Department of Turkish Studies and Modern Asian Studies, National and Capodistrian University of Athens

Dr. Vasileios Meichanetsidis, Greek Genocide scholar

 21:12, 4 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has phoned his Georgian counterpart Ilia Darchiashvili to offer the Armenian government’s support in emergency response to the Shovi landslide.

At least 11 people have died and 25 are still missing as a result of landslides and mudslides in the Georgian resort town of Shovi. 

The foreign ministry said in a readout of the call that “Ararat Mirzoyan once again expressed condolences to his colleague, the government and the friendly people of Georgia for the loss of life due to the landslides in Racha region.”

“Minister Mirzoyan offered the support of the Armenian government in fighting the disaster and eliminating its consequences,” the ministry added.

 10:35, 1 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power has expressed concern about food insecurity and shortages of medical supplies in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Food insecurity & shortages of medical supplies in Nagorno-Karabakh are very troubling. The Lachin corridor is critical for getting lifesaving supplies to the people of NK. I join Secretary Blinken's call for the free transit of commercial & humanitarian supplies through the corridor,” Power tweeted.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations and the Red Cross has been facilitating the medical evacuations of patients.

On July 26, Armenia sent a humanitarian convoy carrying emergency food and medication for Nagorno-Karabakh, but Azerbaijan blocked the trucks at the entrance of Lachin Corridor.

 19:54,

YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is not going to become an environment for circumventing sanctions. The country works very closely and transparently not only with the relevant EU authorities, but also with the US and all interested parties, as ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan said at the press conference held in Vienna after the meeting with the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg. He assured that the Armenian government is determined to avoid creating an environment where sanctions can be circumvented.

In its question to Minister Ararat Mirzoyan the journalist asked about the trade relations, in particular the recent publication of the Financial times regarding a certain amount of used cars being re-exported to Russia from Armenia. “Do you regard this as potential sanctions circumvention and are you concerned about possible sanctions by the EU against your country?”

Ararat Mirzoyan: Well, of course, this war affected the Armenian economy as well, both positively and negatively. But, since you are speaking about sanctions, I would like to once again publicly and loudly reassure everybody who is interested in this topic that Armenia is not going to become a space where the sanctions could be bypassed. We are working very closely and in a very transparent manner not only with the respective bodies from the EU, but also from the U.S. and elsewhere to make sure that the will of the Government of the Republic of Armenia is to avoid helping to create an environment where the sanctions could be bypassed. We are open, and we are transparent. If there are problems, and I guess there can be problems, as elsewhere, the problems are identified in time and proper solutions are given to them.

 20:04,

YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. On July 18, in Vienna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with Helga Schmid, the OSCE Secretary General, ARMENPRESS was informed from the MFA Armenia.

During the meeting, the issues of the regional agenda were discussed, and an exchange of views took place on the activities and role of the OSCE when facing the current challenges.

Ararat Mirzoyan briefed the OSCE Secretary General on the details of the security situation in the South Caucasus, as well as the latest developments in the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Presenting Armenia's vision of establishing comprehensive stability in the region, the Minister stressed that Azerbaijan should not act in conditions of arbitrariness. The imperative of addressing the issues of the rights and security of the Nagorno-Karabakh people within the framework of an international mechanism was emphasized.

Ararat Mirzoyan noted that Azerbaijan, ignoring the legally binding Orders of the International Court of Justice of February 22 and July 6, continues the blockade of the Lachin corridor. The Minister stressed the urgency of effective steps by international actors to prevent another humanitarian catastrophe in Europe's neighborhood in the 21st century, particularly emphasizing the need to prevent the ethnic cleansing of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh. The need for the effective use of OSCE mechanisms and existing tools was also highlighted.

Both sides stressed that sustainable peace requires proper addressing of all outstanding issues.

The possibilities of ensuring the inclusiveness of regional programs and other topics of mutual interest were also touched upon.

 09:50,

YEREVAN, JULY 17, ARMENPRESS. Armenian military positions in two different provinces have come under Azeri cross-border gunfire, the ministry of defense said Monday.

“On July 17, from 12:05 a.m. to 1:40 a.m., units of the Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire from small arms at the Armenian combat positions in the vicinity of Sotk and Nerkin Hand,” the Ministry of Defense of Armenia said in a statement posted on social media.

The ministry did not report casualties.

 21:25,

YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS. On July 17, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Andrey Rudenko and Azerbaijani Ambassador to the Russian Federation Polad Bulbuloglu met and discussed the situation in the South Caucasus, the process of reconciliation between Baku and Yerevan.

ARMENPRESS reports, the press service of the Russian Foreign Ministry informs that the Russian side has confirmed the need for the complete and immediate unblocking of the Lachin Corridor, the restoration of transport links in both directions along it, in accordance with the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020, as well as the need to create conditions for normal life in Nagorno Karabakh.

The message also says: "The Russian side has confirmed its readiness to organize a tripartite meeting of foreign ministers in Moscow in the near future to discuss the ways of implementing the top level agreements, including the issue of agreement on the peace treaty, which will be followed by a summit of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in Moscow in order to sign the said document."