President of Nagorno Karabakh declares nationwide disaster, asks UN to intervene

STEPANAKERT, JULY 25, ARMENPRESS. President of Nagorno Karabakh Arayik Harutyunyan has formally declared Nagorno Karabakh to be a disaster zone amid the total blockade.

Announcing the disaster declaration, Harutyunyan said he expects an urgent international reaction in the form of either collective or individual security, political and humanitarian support.

“Right now Artsakh [Nagorno Karabakh] is the only territory in the world to be in total isolation and under blockade, without any humanitarian aid or international presence,” Harutyunyan said, adding that Nagorno Karabakh could be considered to be a “concentration camp” if his disaster declaration fails to garner international aid.

Speaking about his expectations from the international community, President Harutyunyan said , “First of all we have demands to the parties of the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement, especially Russia, to implement the obligations of the guarantor of security, and we demand Armenia to respect the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh and refrain from any statement or action that would recognize Artsakh to be part of Azerbaijan.”

He added that Artsakh demands the UN Security Council to take action to prevent the genocidal policy carried out by Azerbaijan and ensure the latter’s compliance with the ICJ and ECHR orders on opening the Lachin Corridor.

Harutyunyan also called on the UN to urgently intervene.

“I demand the UN Secretary General to display moral and political responsibility and leadership to warn the international community on the grave situation facing the people of Artsakh. I demand Mr. Guterres to launch, without hesitation and delay, the UN system to resolve this situation,” Harutyunyan said, adding that he’s ready to personally contact the Secretary General online and present the situation.