End the Blockade and Prevent Greater Genocidal Atrocities

As we commemorate the declaration of independence by the people of #Artsakh, we must confront the harsh reality of a silent genocide unfolding before our eyes. Starvation, the invisible weapon of modern genocide, is being used to systematically destroy the civil population in #Nagorno-Karabakh. On September 2, 1991, the people of Artsakh, in accordance with the legal framework of their time, declared their independence from the Soviet Union—an event of immense significance in their pursuit of the right to self-determination. However, the ongoing blockade and policies of starvation imposed on Artsakh must not be overlooked; they unmistakably constitute a form of genocide under the Genocide Convention. Our response to this grave situation must transcend mere prevention; it requires immediate and resolute action to terminate the ongoing genocidal practices.

The Genocide Convention and the Blockade as Genocidal Acts:

The Genocide Convention, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. These acts include killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions leading to physical destruction, imposing measures to prevent births, and forcibly transferring children. It is crucial to recognize that genocide extends beyond the act of mass killings; it encompasses any act intended to obliterate a specific group's existence.

The blockade of #Lachin Corridor, a critical lifeline connecting Artsakh to Armenia, initiated since December 2022, escalated dramatically on June 15, 2023, when Azerbaijan completely sealed off this vital route. As a result, the Republic of Artsakh, home to 120,000 residents (including 30,000 children), has been plunged into a dire state of siege, deprived of its access to essential supplies such as food, medicine, and critical goods. Even humanitarian relief efforts by organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and States like France have been thwarted, exacerbating an already grave humanitarian crisis.

In other words, the blockade created dire conditions that amount to genocidal acts. By restricting access to essential humanitarian aid, food, and medical supplies, the perpetrators of this blockade are intentionally inflicting conditions that lead to physical destruction. It is a deliberate strategy aimed at causing severe suffering, starvation, and despair among the Artsakh population. Moreover, the withholding of food and medical supplies not only inflicts physical harm but also causes profound psychological trauma. The suffering imposed by this blockade is aimed at the destruction, in whole or in part, of the Artsakh population as a distinct group. This is a clear violation of the Article 2 of the Genocide Convention.

The Duty and Responsibility to Act:

In the face of such blatant genocidal policies, the entire humanity bears a profound responsibility to act. We cannot stand idly by while a population is subjected to a slow and painful extermination. There is an urgent need to exercise all early warning and prevention capacities.

In other words, the blockade and starvation tactics currently deployed against Artsakh demand a coordinated response, such as activating early warning mechanisms, initiating humanitarian interventions and implementing the terms of “Responsibility to Protect”.

We must not forget that starvation has been a method of choice in past genocides. It was neglected when used against Armenians in 1915, Jews and Poles in 1939, Russians in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) in 1941, Cambodians in 1975/1976, and again in Srebrenica in the winter of 1993/1994. We cannot let history repeat itself in Artsakh. “Never Again” applies to all.

P.S. I exercise caution when employing the term "genocide" to characterize atrocities, recognizing that it carries specific legal requirements. Not all heinous acts meet the stringent criteria of genocide defined by international conventions and legal jurisprudence, and we should avoid irresponsibly qualify certain crimes as genocide solely to emphasize their seriousness or attract attention. However, when circumstances align with the precise legal definitions it is crucial to use accurate qualifications. In other words, it is critical to acknowledge that the current reality in Artsakh aligns with the legal definition of genocide when assessed against the precise criteria outlined by international conventions and jurisprudence.

#SOSArtsakh #Neveragain #Genocide