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Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan issued a statement regarding Azerbaijan's installation of a concrete barrier on the Lachin Corridor, the sole road connecting Artsakh and Armenia. Below is the full statement.

“The installation of a concrete barrier by Azerbaijan on the only road connecting Artsakh with Armenia worsens the humanitarian crisis which is caused by the blocking of the Lachin Corridor.

I specifically note that the installation of the barrier is another impetus to subject the Armenians of Artsakh to additional psychological pressure, and an unprecedented violations of internationally recognized fundamental rights, such as the rights to life, physical and mental integrity, freedom of movement, an adequate standard of living, access to food, health, as well as the rights of the child and other vulnerable groups; it is also an impetus for ethnic cleansing.

Taking into consideration the fact that the transfer of patients to both sides of the blockade, and the delivery of medical supplies and medications by the International Committee of the Red Cross is totally blocked, the humanitarian crisis is worsening by the day.

The information registered by the Human Rights Defender’s Office, according to which a one-year-old child who is in neonatal and intensive care and is in need to be urgently transferred to Armenia, but is unable due to the current situation, is extremely worrying.

Since the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, I have repeatedly presented in various formats to international organizations with a mandate to protect human rights, and to the other actors involved in the resolution of the conflict, the humanitarian consequences of the blockade, the facts of the state sponsored policy of Armenophobia implemented by Azerbaijan, emphasizing that the current situation is preparing a fertile ground for the continued violation of fundamental rights, and ethnic cleansing.

I call upon again on international organizations with a mandate to protect human rights, and to the other actors to invest all efforts to open the Lachin Corridor immediately, to prevent new and unprecedented violations of fundamental human rights and the final implementation of the policy of ethnic cleansing."