Author: Suren Karakhanian

Baku again detains Armenians at the Lachin checkpoint

Suren Karakhanian
Aug 28 2023
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Detention of Armenians at checkpoint on Khakari Bridge

A young man who was travelling from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia accompanied by Russian peacekeepers has been detained at the Azerbaijani checkpoint in the Lachin corridor.

The Armenian side officially reports “the kidnapping of 22-year-old Alen Sargsyan, a citizen of Artsakh who was travelling to Armenia for studies.” According to Azerbaijani media, three people have been detained and the young men are facing 10-day imprisonment for “insulting the Azerbaijani state flag in 2021”.

According to political observer Hakob Badalyan, in the current situation it is necessary to find “interim solutions to eliminate the blockade and ensure the security of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh”. He suggests using “diplomatic mobilisation”. In particular, he speaks about the need to bring together the positions of the United States and Russia on the Karabakh issue.

On 23 April 2023, Azerbaijan set up a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor, the only road connecting the unrecognised NKR with Armenia and the outside world. Since then, Armenians have travelled along it only when accompanied by Russian peacekeepers and staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross. However, even so, there are occasional incidents when crossing the checkpoint.

The detention of young people is not the first such case. On 29 July, 68-year-old Vagif Khachatryan, who was on his way to Armenia for medical treatment accompanied by the Red Cross, was detained here. Azerbaijan accuses him of “participation in the 1991 Meshala pogroms”. Khachatryan’s relatives claim that he has nothing to do with the offences of which he is accused.

  • Internal political situation in the unrecognized NKR. Forecast from Yerevan: what to expect
  • “The future belongs to Armenia more than Azerbaijan” – Armenian analyst
  • “Waiting for a resolution”: details of the UN Security Council meeting at the request of Armenia

The local information headquarters reports:

“There is no reliable information about the reasons for the kidnapping of Alen Sargsyan yet. Azerbaijan continues its genocidal policy towards the people of Artsakh, once again violating the norms of international humanitarian law”.

Tigran Petrosyan, chairman of the anti-crisis council, said during a live stream on social media that more than one student who was travelling to Yerevan to continue their studies has been detained:

“At the moment one has been taken away, the other is being interrogated. Lentsov [commander of the Russian peacekeeping forces] left, it turns out there was a reason for this. Everything was planned: he left, and the Azerbaijanis used this opportunity.”

Le Figaro reports about France’s intention to submit to the Security Council a resolution on assistance to 120 thousand Armenians on the verge of starvation due to the blockade by Azerbaijan

The Armenian Ombudsman considers reprehensible and unacceptable “the abduction by Azerbaijan of people who are transported to Armenia through the mediation of international actors”, including Russian peacekeepers.

“In this case we are dealing with gross violations of human rights on the part of the Azerbaijani authorities, I mean that international legal guarantees and standards generally recognised in the modern civilised world regarding interference in fundamental human rights are not respected,” Anahit Manasyan said.

“Alen Sargsyan was kidnapped and taken to an unknown direction with the use of force and coercion by representatives of Azerbaijani border and other services,” NK Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan said.

According to him, 170 people were travelling to Armenia. Azerbaijani border guards and employees of other services took five more people to a special room near the checkpoint for interrogation. Two of them, Vahe Hovsepyan and Levon Grigoryan, who are also students, have not crossed the checkpoint and cannot be contacted.

“The cases of abductions prove that the checkpoint has become a tool to serve Azerbaijani criminal arbitrariness, through which civilians are arbitrarily abducted by Azrerbaijanis and deprived of their freedom. The international legal and political guarantees of both the Red Cross and Russian peacekeepers are actually insufficient to protect the rights of the people of Artsakh, including ensuring free and safe movement,” Stepanyan said.

The human rights defender demanded that both international mediators take all possible measures “to ensure the safety of the humanitarian movement of people and the immediate return of the abductees.” He believes that without security guarantees the transport of civilians should be stopped.

The Ombudsmen of Armenia and MK stated that they will continue to collect facts and after summarizing them will present them to international organisations with a mandate to protect human rights.

Azerbaijan’s Trend news agency reported:

“In 2021, videos showing Armenian football players committing insulting actions against the Azerbaijani state flag were circulated in some media outlets and on various pages on social networks. In this regard, the General Prosecutor of Azerbaijan initiated a criminal case”.

The publication suggested that the detained young men would be subjected to administrative punishment and deported to Armenia.

The Armenian segment of social networks is no less active in discussing “the fight at the Azerbaijani checkpoint with the symbols of the NKR”. In addition to incidents with detentions, during the inspection Azerbaijani border guards found one of the Armenians in possession of backgammon with the image of the coat of arms of the unrecognised republic and the monument “We are our mountains”. It is more popularly known as “Grandfather-Grandmother”. The Azerbaijani Border Service confiscated the backgammon.

Confiscated backgammon

Azerbaijani border guards forced the removal of a banner with the inscription “Hotline of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Artsakh”, which also featured the coat of arms, from the ambulance.

“Meanwhile, during other discussions Azerbaijan cites examples such as Quebec or Catalonia, where national symbols are freely and widely used. It is time to realise that Azerbaijan’s goal is not peace and coexistence at all,” Gegham Stepanyan said.

A banner with the coat of arms is being peeled off an ambulance.

“The Azerbaijanis have taken away the entire Lachin corridor from the Russian peacekeepers. What is it for them to take away a person they are transporting along the corridor? It is still a question, if, for example, they think of taking someone from the corridor from the Russian peacekeepers, will the Russian peacekeepers be able to prevent this,” says political observer Hakob Badalyan

According to him, the main question in the current situation is what the Armenian side is doing, especially after the incident with Vagif Khachatryan. He does not rule out that “after today’s kidnapping, talks about some international or Scandinavian peacekeepers will start again”. He believes that under no circumstances will international forces appear in the region:

“International [partners] will say, ‘Tear your throat out, tear yourselves apart to come to an agreement with Azerbaijan’.” And this is said quite openly”.

“The emphasis of our diplomatic work should be directed to [ensuring inhabitants’ safety], to do everything possible to bring their positions on our issues as close as possible, to take them out of the mode of creating problems and interfering with each other into the mode of working with each other.”

According to the analyst’s assessment, in order not to face the need for a general military mobilisation tomorrow, the will for a general diplomatic mobilisation must be shown today:

“The political authorities are obliged to be the initiator of this process, and the rest should be ready to mobilise.”

https://jam-news.net/detention-of-armenians-at-checkpoint-on-khakari-bridge/


ARARAT the Armenian Brandy Won Just Drinks Excellence Awards

Suren Karakhanian

 13:25,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 29, ARMENPRESS. International Influential Just Drinks Excellence Awards announced the winners’ list for 2023, in which ARARAT won two honorable awards.

ARARAT Cherry from ARARAT Flavors range won prize in two nominations – "Innovations" and "Product Launches".

“With the ARARAT Flavor range, the company is taking Armenian brandy in a new direction, opening new opportunities to find new customers and embrace the growing mixology culture by introducing new flavor profiles to broaden its appeal,” is mentioned in the announcement of the awards.

By uniting the professionals of the field – including both researchers and connoisseurs – Just Drinks Excellence Awards receives thousands of applications from across the world each year.

It is worth mentioning that ARARAT Flavor range launched in 2019 and is currently producing several flavored drinks such as ARARAT Apricot, ARARAT Coffee, ARARAT Cherry, and the newly launched product ARARAT Honey.

ARARAT Flavor range was aimed at strengthening the brand’s position in the “Premium +” segment and involving new consumers. Produced in the previous years, ARARAT Apricot, ARARAT Coffee, and ARARAT Cherry have been holding the title of “N1 imported flavored brandy worldwide” with their consumption values for several years thanks to the dedicated and consistent work of Yerevan Brandy Company professionals and ARARAT team across the world. This research is done by IWSR – a leading international research company in the alcohol sector.

Nagorno-Karabakh Ombudsman demands Russian peacekeepers and ICRC to return kidnapped students

Suren Karakhanian

 17:54,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 28, ARMENPRESS. Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) authorities are unable to contact two students who were taken into interrogation by Azeri border guards in the Lachin Corridor’s illegal Azeri checkpoint, the Nagorno-Karabakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan said in a statement.

Another student was kidnapped by Azeri border guards and taken into an unknown direction, Stepanyan said.

All three men are students of universities in Armenia.

The three men were among 170 others who were being transported by Russian peacekeepers from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia on August 28.

The 22-year-old student, Alen Sargsyan, was kidnapped by the use of force by Azeri border guards.

Another 5 persons were taken into an interrogation room where they were questioned by Azeri border guards on various issues, such as their purpose of visiting Armenia, the economic situation in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and others.

Stepanyan said the border guards had pre-arranged lists of persons. Two people who were on this list – Vahe Hovsepyan and Levon Grigoryan – did not cross the illegal checkpoint but Nagorno-Karabakh authorities are unable to contact them.

“We’ve numerously said that the illegal checkpoint installed near Hakari Bridge is a direct and undeniable threat to the protection of the physical existence and fundamental rights of the civilian population of Artsakh. The kidnappings of Vagif Khachatryan and Alen Sargsyan are undisputed proofs that the so-called checkpoint has turned into an instrument for serving criminal arbitrariness, through which civilians are arbitrarily kidnapped and deprived of freedom by Azerbaijanis. A population of 120,000 people is being kept in blockade, deprived of humanitarian access and the opportunity of protection of the basic human rights. The international legal and political guarantees of both the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Russian peacekeepers are insufficient for the protection of the rights of Artsakh population, including for ensuring the free and safe movement. Taking into consideration the obligations assumed by these two actors, the Human Rights Defender demands from them to take all available measures to ensure the security of humanitarian movement of the Artsakh population and the immediate return of the kidnapped persons. Without the presence of such guarantees the transfers of civilians must be stopped,” Stepanyan said.

The facts will be presented to international organizations.

Asbarez: Former UN Genocide Prevention Expert Warns of ‘Serious’ Risks in Artsakh

Suren Karakhanian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Former UN genocide expert Juan Mendez warns of "serious" risks in Artsakh


A former United Nations expert on genocide Juan Mendez on Friday warned of serious risks facing the population of Artsakh that correspond to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide.

Mendez, who is currently a professor human rights law at the American University in Washington, was briefing United Nations Security Council member-state representatives as well as other stakeholders at hearing devoted to addressing the risks and taking preventive measures regarding the humanitarian situation in Artsakh.

In his presentation, Mendez briefed the delegations on the origins of the mandate of the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and the entrusted tasks, such as bringing the matters to the attention of the UN Security Council through the UN Secretary-General.

Focusing on the prevention duty of the international community, Juan Mendez highlighted that the facts constitute sufficient reason to proffer an early warning to the international community that the population of Nagorno-Karabakh is at risk of suffering “serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group” as defined in Article 2 of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide.

“The lack of compliance with a binding interim measure issued by the ICJ to protect a population at risk is at least as severe an early warning than refusal to cooperate with judicial investigations”, Professor Mendez concluded, pointing out to Azerbaijan’s defiance of the legally binding order of the International Court of Justice as an indication that necessitates the exercise of the UN’s early warning and prevention capacities.

Also speaking at the event was Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Mher Margaryan, who highlighted that the deliberate infliction of dire humanitarian conditions in Nagorno-Karabakh constitutes an atrocious crime, which is already happening, including through the starvation of an entire population, who are being deprived of their basic human rights.

Margaryan recalled that, at the emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, which was convened at Armenia’s request on August 16, the majority of the Council’s member states reiterated the imperative of complying with the ICJ orders and ensuring free and unimpeded humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh.

Below is an excerpt from Professor Mendez’s report. https://un.mfa.am/file_manager/un_mission/Preliminary%20Opinion%20-%2023.08.2023.pdf

In the current situation in Nagorno-Karabakh I wish to point out the lack of compliance with the International Court of Justice binding order as an indicator that require early warning and offer opportunities to prevent a genocide. I focus my analysis in the prevention duty of the international community.

The deliberate blockade of the Lachin Corridor, against the binding order of the International Court of Justice signal the high probability that the members of the group of Armenian living in Nagorno-Karabakh may in the near future suffer “serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group” (Article 2, paragraph b of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide). The excuses offered, the denial of the blockade and the offer of alternative roads to eventually provide food confirm Azerbaijan’s defiance of the ICJ order.

As I understand them, the facts are: On November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia signed the Trilateral Statement ending the war between the first two countries and establishing special agreements regarding Nagorno-Karabakh. “The Lachin corridor (5 km wide), which will ensure the communication between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia…shall remain under the control of the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation” for five years. “The Republic of Azerbaijan shall guarantee the safe movement of citizens, vehicles, and cargo in both directions along the Lachin corridor.”

On February 22, 2023, the International Court of Justice ordered: “The Republic of Azerbaijan shall, pending the final decision in the case and accordance with its obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles, and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.” The order was reaffirmed on July 6, 2023.

Instead of complying with the ICJ order Azerbaijan security forces have blocked the Lachin Corridor since March and since June have sealed off any channel connecting a group of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. The ICJ order put Azerbaijan on notice about the “real and imminent risk” created by the blockade to an Armenian group’s “health and life.” Azerbaijan has ignored calls from the UN Secretary General, the US Secretary of State and the President of France to comply with the ICJ binding order and open the Lachin Corridor.

In addition, Azerbaijan officers and experts are denying the facts and offering alternative roads to provide humanitarian assistance, thus confirming their refusal to comply with the ICJ orders. Under the circumstances, it is my considered opinion that the facts outlined above constitute sufficient reason to proffer an early warning to the international community that the population of Nagorno-Karabakh is at risk of suffering“ serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group” (Article 2, paragraph b of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide).

The state parties of the Genocide Convention are committed to prevent the crime, and the international community should exercise its responsibilities to protect that population. I am guided in this conclusion by the jurisprudential precedent adopted by the International Court of Justice in Bosnia v. Serbia regarding the obligation to prevent genocide under the 1948 Convention.

In that case, the ICJ established that all States have responsibilities to prevent genocide. Those responsibilities are highest in cases where a State is in a position to influence the situation decisively, because of geographic proximity, cultural or political links to the actors on the ground, control of territory and means of communication and transportation, and so on.

In the case of Srebrenica, the ICJ found that Serbia had violated its obligation to prevent genocide, among other factors, because it had refused to cooperate with judicial inquiries.

By way of analogy, lack of compliance with a binding interim measure issued by the ICJ precisely to protect a population at risk is at least as severe an early warning than refusal to cooperate with judicial investigations.”

France expresses concern about Azeri shooting targeting EU monitors in Armenia, announces extra funding for ICRC in NK

Suren Karakhanian

 12:51,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, ARMENPRESS. France will provide an addition €3,000,000 to support the humanitarian activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Nagorno-Karabakh, the French foreign ministry said in a readout of the call between the Armenian and French foreign ministers.

Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, expressed deep concern about the fact that the population of Nagorno-Karabakh has been suffering for more than eight months as a result of the blockade of Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan.

Colonna noted with regret that Azerbaijan continues its blockade, which contradicts its obligations within the framework of the ceasefire agreement and harms the negotiations process.

Reiterating her call made during her April 27 and 28 trips to Azerbaijan and Armenia, she said that outstanding issues can only be solved through negotiations, which would give the chance to achieve just and lasting peace.

The French Foreign Minister reiterated her call on restoring the free movement of people and goods in both directions along the Lachin Corridor and uninterrupted gas and electricity supplies to the population.

FM Colonna said that Azerbaijan must fulfill its international obligations, particularly comply with the ICJ February 22 binding order.

The ministers also discussed the Azerbaijani cross-border shooting that happened on the Armenian border on August 15 during an EU monitoring patrol. The French foreign minister expressed concern about the shooting and expressed full support to the EU mission.

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.

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.




Protesters block 134 Freeway in Glendale, creating massive traffic backup

Suren Karakhanian
Aug 9 2023
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Several hundred protesters blocked one side of the 134 Freeway in Glendale Wednesday night to call attention to the crisis in Artsakh.

Using a big rig, they blocked off the eastbound side of the freeway at Central and Brand avenues. Protesters then gathered on freeway lanes and unfurled signs calling for support from Rep. Adam Schiff.

Protesters have also been showing up at Schiff's local office in recent days, calling on the Democratic congressman to do more to support their cause.

Artsakh is a landlocked republic with a large Armenian population that has been subject to decades of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In December, Azerbaijan started blocking a route known as the Lachin corridor which is the only overland connector to Armenia.

Schiff has expressed support for ending the blockade, but some Armenian protesters feel he has not done enough for the cause.

One sign unfurled on lanes read "Adam Schiff don't ignore us" and another pleaded "Open the road of life."

In the past, Schiff has issued statements condemning the blockade and calling for the Biden Administration to take action. He also has authored a House resolution calling for recognition of Artsakh's sovereignty and condemning Azerbaijan's aggression.

On Wednesday, he issued a new statement which read:

"I stand with the people of Armenia, Artsakh, and the Armenian-American community – not only my constituents but those around the world. I hear and see your pain over the inhumane situation your brothers and sisters are facing.

From condemning ceasefire violations, to advocating for the release of Armenian prisoners of war, to calling for sanctions and accountability for Azerbaijan, I've always been, and will continue to be, steadfast in my commitment to ensuring the protection of fundamental rights for the people of Artsakh."

I am in communication with the Biden Administration, the State Department, and my Congressional colleagues and am advocating for using all tools at our disposal, including pushing for U.S. humanitarian aid to Artsakh, cutting off military and other assistance to Azerbaijan, and imposing sanctions on those responsible for this crisis.

I will be with you every step of the way and will always stand with the people of Armenia and Artsakh."

https://abc7.com/amp/134-freeway-blocked-protest-armenia-artsakh/13626384/ 


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https://abc7.com/134-freeway-blocked-protest-armenia-artsakh/13626384/

Armenpress: Armenian FM, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office emphasize need for international action to resolve crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh

Suren Karakhanian

 21:25,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. On August 10, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a telephone conversation with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani.

As a continuation of the meeting of two ministers within the framework of the Dubrovnik Forum in July, Minister Mirzoyan briefed his counterpart on the details of the deepening humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor, the ministry said in a readout.  

Minister Mirzoyan emphasized that since June 15, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh have been under total blockade and the humanitarian activities of the ICRC, the only international humanitarian organization with access to Nagorno-Karabakh, are being obstructed, as the ICRC announced on July 25.

Both sides emphasized the urgency of resolving the humanitarian situation for people on the ground and the need for joint steps with international partners in that direction. While highlighting the importance of the statements of international partners with targeted calls to Azerbaijan, Minister Mirzoyan emphasized the need for consistency and joint efforts in that direction.

The interlocutors exchanged views on collaboration within the OSCE platform.

Film: Iranian ‘Nomadic Girl’ goes to Armenia

Suren Karakhanian
 TEHRAN TIMES 
Iran – Aug 7 2023

TEHRAN – Iranian documentary ‘Nomadic Girl’ has been made into the 9th edition Apricot Tree International Documentary Film Festival in Armenia. 

Directed by Ruhollah Akbari, ‘Nomadic Girl’ is about a girl named Sousan Rashidi, who, despite all the problems caused by the traditions and common beliefs about girls exercising, achieves much success in kickboxing. She tries to persuade the families of the girls in the area to encourage them to attend training classes in a nomad “black tent”.

The documentary was previously screened at film festivals in Hungary, the US, Russia and Ukraine.

Established in 2015 by Filmadaran Film Culture Development NGO, Apricot Tree (ATIEFF) is a documentary film festival that takes place annually in August in the Armenian village of Ujan. Not only do selected participants get to see their films projected on the big screen in Ujan’s Park under the open sky, but more importantly they live among the villagers in their houses, share bread and watch films with them, while getting to experience Armenian culture first-hand.

The latest edition of the event will be held from August 20 to 27.

ZM/

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/487645/Iranian-Nomadic-Girl-goes-to-Armenia

Trump pleads not guilty to election charges

Suren Karakhanian

 10:10, 4 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS. Former US President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to charges related to conspiring his 2020 election defeat, BBC reported.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all 4 counts of indictment, among them conspiracy to defraud the US, tampering with a witness and conspiracy against the rights of citizens.

The former president was given several conditions, including not to communicate with anyone who is a witness in the given case or to communicate only through a lawyer.

The court hearings were held in the same court building where the cases of around 1000 defendants who participated in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 were examined.

During the hearing, a group of Trump supporters gathered in front of the courthouse, as well as those who protested against him.

The next court hearing of the former US President will take place on August 28.

After leaving the court, Trump described the case against him "persecution of a political opponent". Donald Trump has nominated his candidacy to participate in the 2024 presidential elections, in which he may compete with his rival in the previous elections, the current US President Joe Biden.

The former US president is standing before the court for the third time in the last 4 months. In the other two cases, Trump is accused of violating the rules on handling classified documents and paying porn star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet and falsifying business reports because of it.

Atrocity Alert No. 358: El Salvador, Nagorno-Karabakh and UN peacekeeping

Suren Karakhanian
Aug 2 2023
2 August 2023
ATROCITY ALERT

On 26 July El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly approved legal reforms to formally allow courts to hold mass trials of up to 900 individuals per trial. Under the policy, individuals can be grouped on the basis of what region they come from or on alleged membership within the same criminal group. This decision is the latest measure in a campaign by President Nayib Bukele’s government to curb gang violence that has been systematically marked by widespread human rights violations and abuses. On 1 August President Bukele announced the deployment of at least 8,000 security forces to close off more than 390 square miles in the Cabañas department, north-central El Salvador, noting that the government had identified “several groups of gang members hiding there,” and warned that “no gang members will be allowed to leave.”

Since the Legislative Assembly – where supporters of President Bukele are in the majority – imposed a state of emergency on 27 March 2022, more than 70,000 individuals have been arrested, most of whom have been arbitrarily detained and subjected to torture and ill-treatment, short-term enforced disappearances and widespread violations of civil rights. While more than 7,900 human rights violations were documented between March 2022 and March 2023 alone, the actual figure is likely much higher given underreporting due to fear of reprisals by state agents. On 14 July the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights warned that at least 174 individuals have died while in state custody. In May the non-governmental organization Cristosal warned that ongoing violations and abuses are carried out as a state policy with the deliberate and systematic targeting of a “specific segment of the population,” including mostly young men in marginalized communities, without any evidence of connection to criminal gangs. Cristosal also concluded that these violations and abuses may amount to crimes against humanity.

Elisabeth Pramendorfer, Latin America expert at the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, warned that “the latest decision by the Legislative Assembly not only effectively denies due process rights and leaves tens of thousands at risk of arbitrary prison sentences, but also underlines how the deliberate dismantling of democratic guarantees has contributed to an environment conducive to the commission of possible atrocity crimes.”

Since taking office in 2019, President Bukele has taken systematic steps to undermine human rights protections, including attacks on the independence of the country’s legislative and judicial system. His iron-fist policies – leading to a stark decrease in homicides and record-high approval ratings – may appear as effective measures to achieve immediate results against gang violence. However, securitization and mass suspension of civic rights only exacerbates the vulnerabilities of already marginalized communities and leads countries further into crisis when what is needed are long-term strategies aimed at addressing deep rooted socio-economic inequality.

For more than seven months Azerbaijani authorities have blockaded the Lachin corridor, the sole road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia, precipitating a humanitarian crisis. The blockade has deprived over 120,000 ethnic Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh, including 30,000 children, of life-saving resources such as food, medicine, electricity and fuel. On 28 July Armenian authorities accused Azerbaijan of denying transport of over 400 tons of humanitarian aid into Nagorno-Karabakh. In a statement issued on 25 July the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that despite persistent efforts, “the last time the ICRC was allowed to bring medical items and essential food items into the area was several weeks ago.”

Deprivation of resources indispensable to survival imposes excessive burdens upon civilians that may eventually result in immense suffering and loss of life. Under International Humanitarian Law, all sides must allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need, including medical supplies and essential food. The intentional and unlawful denial of humanitarian assistance may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but contains a majority ethnic Armenian population that has been led by de-facto authorities since December 1991. There is a long history of armed clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan for control of Nagorno-Karabakh. Despite a 1994 ceasefire agreement, sporadic clashes have continued along the border of Nagorno-Karabakh over the past 25 years, including intense fighting in September-November 2020 that concluded after a peace deal brokered by Russia. The blockade began on 12 December 2022, after Azerbaijani environmental activists, allegedly supported by the country’s authorities, blocked the Lachin corridor in protest of the alleged exploitation of minerals. Azerbaijani authorities formalized the blockade by establishing a border point at the entrance to the corridor in late April 2023. Ongoing attempts to deescalate tensions – which have risen amidst the blockade – and broker a new peace treaty have been unsuccessful thus far.

On 25 February the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Azerbaijan to ensure free movement of all persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin corridor in both directions. Meanwhile, during July the President of Nagorno-Karabakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, requested Luis Moreno Ocampo, former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, for an expert opinion on the blockade. While the opinion has no legal implications, it may help determine if the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh merits further investigation.

Azerbaijani authorities must immediately lift the blockade of the Lachin corridor and allow for unhindered and safe passage of civilians and goods along the corridor, as well as guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access in line with international law and the order by the ICJ. States must engage in further dialogue with all parties, as well as support calls from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to establish an independent fact-finding mission to assess the humanitarian situation.

In recent years, UN peacekeeping operations have increasingly operated in more complex and dangerous environments marked by many challenges, including asymmetrical threats that endanger the lives of civilians, the safety and security of peacekeepers, as well as the effective implementation of mandates. During a UN Security Council briefing on Friday, 28 July, the Force Commanders of the peacekeeping operations in South Sudan (UNMISS), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and Lebanon reflected upon the role of military components in the protection of civilians and the challenges faced during implementation of their respective mandates.

The Force Commander of MONUSCO described evolving new threats, including the spread of disinformation and hate speech, which has endangered civilians in the conflict-ridden eastern provinces and provoked anti-UN sentiments and attacks against peacekeepers. Discussion of a phased and “responsible” withdrawal of MONUSCO has raised serious concerns regarding the future of civilian protection as myriad armed groups continue to perpetrate recurrent attacks with impunity. In South Sudan, recurrent inter-communal and subnational violence resulting in cattle raids, abductions and revenge killings continues to put civilians at risk of atrocities. To adequately respond to these threats and protect civilians, UNMISS has increasingly established temporary bases in areas at risk of escalation in accordance with its early warning and response mechanisms.

Meanwhile, the protection of civilians and human rights mandate of the peacekeeping operation in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has been hindered by the presence of mercenary operatives from the Wagner Group. Mercenary operatives have deliberately impeded the freedom of movement of peacekeepers, as well as been accused of systematically hindering the work of UN investigators in areas where alleged crimes have occurred. Additionally, predatory armed groups in the west of the country have increasingly used explosive devices, presenting growing threats to civilians while also hampering MINUSCA’s civilian protection efforts. Last October a roadside bomb reportedly planted by an armed group killed three peacekeepers and severely injured several others while traveling on night patrol as part of its protection of civilians mandate.

Savita Pawnday, Executive Director of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, said, “Given the current unparalleled levels of global human displacement, and escalating levels of conflict and violence, the UN and its member states must strengthen their commitment to peacekeeping. As peacekeeping operations face growing asymmetrical threats, the missions must adapt their civilian protection strategies to maximize their impact wherever possible to better protect vulnerable populations.”

https://www.globalr2p.org/publications/atrocity-alert-no-358/