Today marks two years since the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the sole route connecting Artsakh to Armenia following the 44-day war in 2020. On December 12, 2022, the Azerbaijani government orchestrated a so-called “protest” under the guise of environmental concerns, during which a group of individuals blocked the corridor. This action, initiated and supported by Azerbaijan’s authorities, aimed to isolate the people of Artsakh from the outside world and coerce them into leaving their homeland through intimidation and pressure.
The blockade was accompanied by orchestrated schemes. Azerbaijani “eco-activists” established camps along the corridor, blocking the movement of people and goods under fabricated pretexts. Furthermore, alongside the closure of the Lachin Corridor, Azerbaijan deliberately disrupted gas and electricity supplies to Artsakh, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The blockade occurred within the area of responsibility of Russian peacekeeping forces, who, according to the November 9, 2020 trilateral agreement, were obligated to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the corridor. However, the peacekeepers either failed or refused to fulfill their duties, effectively allowing Azerbaijan to violate agreements and impose a humanitarian crisis threatening the existence of the population of Artsakh.
Under severe blockade conditions, the people of Artsakh were deprived of access to food, medicine, and essential goods, while hundreds of patients were unable to receive necessary medical care. These actions constituted gross violations of international law and fundamental human rights, including the rights to free movement, health, and a dignified life.
During these events, the OPEN initiative made active efforts to raise international awareness. The team persistently worked, reaching out to the UN, the Council of Europe, and various embassies, presenting the realities faced by the people of Artsakh and demanding the immediate reopening of the corridor.
Two years later, we call on the international community not to forget this injustice and to continue advocating for the restoration of fundamental human rights. The rights of the people of Artsakh must be reinstated, and those responsible must be held accountable under international justice. Human rights and the supremacy of international law must remain non-negotiable.
