Mothers under siege in Artsakh call out genocide and defy blockade of 120,000 Armenians
DAY 250
120,000 ETHNIC ARMENIANS UNDER SIEGE
"Artsakh is under the threat of genocide today..."
— Marta Kostandyan, a young Artsakhi mother
...we will endure if that is the price of keeping the homeland."
— Mariam Sargsyan, a first-time Artsakhi mother
Research and open letter
Febuary 2, 2023
Publisher:
Key findings:
- The 250-day blockade has left 120,000 indigenous Armenians in Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh completely isolated, starving, and deprived of essential services
- According to former Chief Prosecutor Luis Ocampo, the blockade constitutes a genocide under international law; it is not just a humanitarian emergency
- ZPO calls for immediate international intervention to prevent further suffering and irreversible loss of life in the Armenian community in Artsakh
Photo of Mariam Abrahamyan courtesy of © 2023 Siranush Sargsyan
Photo of Mariam Sargsyan courtesy of
© 2023 Siranush Sargsyan
Photo of Marta Kostandyan courtesy of © 2023 Sona Ohanjanyan
Keywords: Artsakh Nagorno-Karabakh; Lachin Corridor blockade; Artsakhi Armenians; conflict; humanitarian crisis; genocide; forced displacement; siege; Azerbaijan; Armenia
Opening letter
Dear friends,
Today is already the 250th day of the blockade and now complete siege of Artsakh / Nagorno-Karabakh.
120,000 indigenous Armenian Christians of Artsakh are not only completely isolated from aid and services, but are also starving for food, freedom, and solidarity. They now have clear legal confirmation that this blockade is genocide, even before death rates notably rise.
Since the early days of the blockade, we have called this out as a genocide in intent and action because international law makes that clear. On this World Humanitarian Day, my team and I at the Zovighian Public Office (ZPO) welcome the legal analysis of Mr. Luis Ocampo and his warning to not let the focus on the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh distract global attention away from the genocide that is already underway. To make matters clear, this new edition retracts the label of “Humanitarian emergency brief” and replaces it loudly with “Genocide briefing.”
Genocide is what mothers of young children feared when we first released this brief on February 2nd of this year with our collaborator, Artsakhi journalist Siranush Sargsyan. They told us then that they see no end to this blockade. Starvation and malnourishment are the dangerous reality of a calculated siege that is being legitimized by both Azerbaijani government policy and insufficient action by the international community. These mothers cannot afford our words and letters of appeal anymore. Their children need food, medicine, heating, schools, culture, and a guaranteed right to life and choice with dignity and security.
The Caucasus and world will be deeply affected if the Armenian community are not protected before it is too late. The same way you cannot bring back time when there are delays to humanitarian action, we cannot reverse death by genocide.
With my deepest respects,
Lynn Zovighian
Co-founder, Zovighian Partnership
The Caucasus and world will be deeply affected if the Armenian community are not protected before it is too late. The same way you cannot bring back time when there are delays to humanitarian action, we cannot reverse death by genocide.
- Lynn Zovighian — Founder, Zovighian Public Office
###
About the Zovighian Public Office
The Zovighian Public Office (ZPO) was established in 2015 to serve communities facing crises and crimes of atrocity. We are dedicated to amplifying their voices through research, advocacy, and diplomacy. We are deeply committed to justice and accountability for the Artsakhi Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.