SOSEH HOVASAPIAN, ANI ARZOUMANIAN, AND SHARON ANOUSH CHEKIJIAN , CORNELL UNIVERSITY; COLGATE UNIVERSITY; YALE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE 

For over 230 days, a humanitarian crisis has loomed over Artsakh, or Nagorno-Karabakh, an autonomous, ethnically Armenian region within the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan. The world has yet to take notice, and why should it? This seemingly unimportant area in the South Caucasus is the current lynchpin of geopolitics dividing East and West, NATO and Central Asia, Israel from monitoring Iran, and Russia from controlling its former republics. A peaceful, democratic populace including 30,000 children is in the crosshairs.

Since Dec. 12, 2022, the Berdzor (Lachin) Corridor, the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia, has been under blockade by Azerbaijan in an escalation of tensions following the 44-day war of 2020. Now in its eighth month, the blockade is accompanied by increased threats and acts of violence against Artsakh and increasingly the Republic of Armenia.

Initial claims that the blockade was due to protests of “eco-activists” quickly proved to be a ruse to cover up Azerbaijan’s campaign of aggression against the region’s Indigenous Christians. The blockade has two immediate goals. First, to force assimilation into Azerbaijan; Second, to pressure Armenia to allow Azerbaijan to forge a road across its sovereign territory, uniting Turkey with its “brothers” in Azerbaijan, heralding Turkish domination across Central Asia. The intention is to make Armenia into a “rump state,” further isolated and its borders redrawn and diminished. Azerbaijan’s petro-dictator Ilham Aliyev and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s pursuit of geopolitical gain comes at the cost of 120,000 lives.

The implications are disturbingly clear. Erdogan and Aliyev intend to continue the genocide of 1915 and wipe Armenians off the map. Referring to the Armenian genocide, Erdogan said they will “continue to fulfill this mission, which our grandfathers have carried out for centuries in the Caucasus region.” Aliyev has chided Armenians to “behave yourselves” or suffer renewed attacks. Their intended ethnic cleansing has precedents in Turkey during the 1915 genocide, the 1988 and 1990 pogroms of Baku and Sumgait, and the forced depopulation of ethnic Armenians from Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan.

Regarding the right to self-determination of Artsakh’s Armenians, Aliyev made his stance clear with an ultimatum presented to Artsakh authorities: “Disband your government or prepare for the consequences.” This rhetoric is expounded by pro-regime media in Azerbaijan with calls to integrate Artsakh into Azerbaijan. This offers an easy solution for powers who do not understand the history of Armenian persecution. Would the world suggest that the Jewish people assimilate quietly under a Nazi regime? This is what is being laid out—further marginalization and a sure death for the Armenians of Artsakh.

Activists block a road from Stepanakert, the capital of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, to Azerbaijani Aghdam offered by the Azeri officials as a way for humanitarian aid to the region demanding the reopening of the blockaded Lachin Corridor linking Karabakh to Armenia and to decry crisis conditions in the region, in Askeran on July 18, 2023. ANI BALAYAN/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

The ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor is in direct violation of international law, the 2020 Trilateral Agreement, and the International Court of Justice’s (IJC) ruling on Feb. 22. Emboldened by the lack of repercussions, Aliyev ignored these agreements and rulings. Azerbaijan’s installation of a military checkpoint at the entrance to the Lachin Corridor in April has led to a complete blockade, including the International Committee of the Red Cross’ (ICRC) aid efforts. Shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies are currently critical. The de-facto attack on health care is further destabilizing Artsakh already targeted by Azerbaijan during the 44-day war of 2020. Miscarriages have tripled under the blockade. The complete blockade has prompted statements warning of impending genocide by Genocide Watch and the Lemkin Institute.

Comparable crises have received far more attention and assistance. Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian grain met with swift sanctions by the U.S., U.N., and EU. Humanitarian aid by the U.N. for the blockade of Gaza totaled over $5 billion. Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh has gone unanswered. The inability to respond comes in large part from a lack of recognition of the sovereignty of the Republic of Artsakh, rendering international aid impossible.

Azerbaijan’s actions have undermined one international law after the other, but it seems that dictators don’t care about humanitarian law. Expressions of “deep concern” have not and will not bear fruit. We need to speak the language of dictators. and send a clear message to those who seek to obliterate the Armenians.

First, recognition of the right to self-determination and recognition of Artsakh is vital. Second, immediate personal sanctions against Aliyev and embargoes on oil exports by Europe are critical to pressure the Aliyev regime to end Azerbaijan and Turkey’s tireless efforts to ethnically cleanse Artsakh and the world of Armenians. Third, the U.N. Security Council should uphold the ICJ ruling and send peacekeepers to the region to end the blockade. To not do so is equal to being complicit in the impending genocide of the people of Artsakh.

Soseh Hovasapian is a student at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York 

Source: https://www.newsweek.com/azerbaijans-blockade-nagorno-karabakh-artsakh-should-concern-everyone-opinion-1818966

By Michael Rubin,

Speaking at the United Nations last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke out about famine, quoting President Biden’s declaration, “If parents cannot feed their children, nothing else matters.” It was unfortunate, but symptomatic of his cynicism, that Blinken ignored the famine underway in Nagorno-Karabakh caused exclusively by Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade.

Rather than stand on principle, Biden and Blinken fund Azerbaijan as it perpetrates ethnic cleansing. Such funding is illegal. Azerbaijan neither meets the terms of a waiver on Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act to allow American aid due to President Ilham Aliyev’s open calls for a military solution, nor does the Humanitarian Aid Corridors Act allow the United States to provide assistance to any country that interferes with the delivery of American assistance to any other territory or entity. Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor does just that. Unlike with Section 907, there is no waiver.

Aliyev argues Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijani territory, and that its residents must subordinate to his rule, one of the world’s most authoritarian dictatorships. For too long, the State Department has deferred to Aliyev’s claim of sovereignty. US recognition of Azerbaijani sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh upon Azerbaijan’s renewed independence was never cut-and-dry; rather, recognition of sovereignty over the region depended upon Azerbaijan’s agreement to peaceful resolution of the dispute and balancing principles of territorial integrity and self-determination. Even if Blinken bullies Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan into renouncing Armenian claims over the region, Pashinyan has neither the right nor the ability to forfeit residents’ legal rights to self-determination.

Not everyone ignores the crisis. On August 7, 2023, Luis Moreno Ocampo, the former prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, issued an opinion labeling the deliberate starvation of Nagorno-Karabakh’s 120,000 Christians to be an act of genocide.

Aliyev believes that he is absolute sovereign over the territory; this exposes his sense of impunity. If Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenians are Azerbaijani citizens as he insists, then his deliberate starvation of the community suggests parallels at play between Aliyev and Omar al-Bashir, the former dictator of Sudan, who targeted for genocide the inhabitants of Darfur. That they were Sudanese citizens did not mean open season for slaughter. Sudan, like Azerbaijan, is not party to the Rome Statute, and thus does not place itself under the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction. Still, the UN Security Council passed a resolution to extend ICC jurisdiction over Sudan for crimes in Darfur enabling Bashir’s indictment.

It is unlikely the UN Security Council treat Azerbaijan the same way. While the United States, France, and Russia might hold Aliyev to account, China is a wildcard and the United Kingdom would veto due to BP’s multibillion dollar partnership with Aliyev. Even if London stood on principle, Azerbaijan would buy the votes of non-permanent Security Council members to hamper any resolution.

There is another path to an Aliyev indictment, however, as Azerbaijan has ratified the Convention Against Genocide.

For too long, the State Department has believed balance the key to successful diplomacy. This is wrong, as Aliyev only stakes out more extreme positions figuring Blinken will simply meet him in the middle. The latest example are arguments Azerbaijan voiced yesterday that Armenia is to blame for starvation in Artsakh. This is akin to a judge privileging a child who murders his parents because he is an orphan.

It is time instead for USAID to send trucks flying the American flag to the Lachin corridor under the observation of US diplomats stationed in both Armenia and Azerbaijan. If Azerbaijan impedes diplomats’ movement, it is time to send its ambassador home. If it refuses to allow the flow of relief supplies or, worse, threatens to kill Western observers as Azerbaijan’s ambassador in Brussels recently did, then it is time for sanctions. There is no shortage of options. Biden can put an end to the Section 907 waiver, enforce of the Humanitarian Assistance Corridors Act, designate under the Magnitsky Act, and even support Aliyev’s indictment under the Genocide Convention.

Africans are right to argue that near-exclusive indictment of Africans by international courts and tribunals is unseemly if not racist. Bashir is still a fugitive, but Liberia’s Charles Taylor could use a roommate. Aliyev could be just that man.

Learn more: Biden’s Decision to Station US Marines On Commercial Ships In Persian Gulf Is Bizarre | Australia Takes Step Backwards on Middle East Peace, Encourages Terror | Don’t Allow Turkey to Extort Its Way to Visa-Free Travel | Instigators of Anti-Christian Persecution Cry Wolf to Distract from Their Own Guilt

Since 2008, when Nikol Pashinyan was unleashed upon the Armenian nation we believe by Turkey, and other foreign power a relentless wave of death and destruction has swept over Armenia and Artsakh.

Pashinyan’s Turkish Dream began with a massive attack on the Armenian government, leading to the massacre of ten people, including a policeman, and causing hundreds of injuries. After six months in hiding, he was captured and sentenced to seven years in prison, but disappointingly, he was granted amnesty by the president and released after just two years. In 2018, Pashinyan returned with a thirst for revenge and continued his harmful actions against Armenia and Artsakh, collaborating with Turkey and Azerbaijan, traditional foes of Armenia.

Today, Armenia grapples with governance challenges brought on by corrupt traitors who have failed to safeguard the nation and Artsakh. As a former defense minister, now under arrest, pointed out, Armenia faced numerous setbacks during the 1992-1994 war period but refused to surrender. Under strong leadership, Armenians regrouped and achieved victory in the first Artsakh war. However, the corrupt government in 2020 chose to capitulate, leaving 120,000 Armenians in Artsakh under siege, facing starvation, and the threat of genocide. These rulers colluded with the enemy, exposing the entire Armenian nation to vulnerability, echoing the tragic events of 1915, now with Artsakh facing a similar fate.

During the 2020 war, Pashinyan not only secretly surrendered but also failed to consult with the president, parliament, defense minister, or minister of foreign affairs, keeping his actions shrouded in secrecy.

Pashinyan has placed Armenia in an exceedingly difficult situation, with no Armenians willing to take up the responsibility of governance. Not a single political party in Armenia dares to challenge Pashinyan’s position. Anyone considering a leadership role faces a daunting dilemma: they must either risk potential warfare to protect Armenia and Artsakh or choose the arduous path of surrender.

An epoch-defining juncture in Armenian history emerged when a single individual, backed by foreign forces, succeeded in fracturing, and demoralizing the entire nation. With no viable political organization or civilian effort to counter this threat, only Armenia’s military remains entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s survival. Consequently, it falls upon the Armenian people to exert every possible effort to persuade the military to intervene and remove this malefactor from power, for failure to do so could spell the extinction of Armenia itself.

Starting point: St. Leon Armenian Cathedral at 3:00 PM 3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, CA 91504

Rally For Life…

Sunday, August 6, at 3:00 p.m., show up to this in enormous numbers for it’s impactful, attracts the media, and sends a message to the Biden Administration to stop the resumption of the Armenian Genocide.

Where: St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, 3325 N Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, 91504.

Please join this, is it? The people of Artsakh have endured enough. We MUST make tomorrow a significant turning point in this struggle.

Please share this email and the attached (and below) flyer with your circles and on social media.

We have obtained and translated this information from Dr. David NANIGIAN, Ph.D., MBA Video

Artsakh’s status as an internationally unrecognized state is often discussed in relation to its recognition by UN resolutions, which call for either territorial integrity or the right to self-determination. However, many people, including myself, may not fully grasp the implications of international law and how it interprets these terms, which sound quite weighty and significant. To shed some light on this matter, I’ll explain the key points briefly.

Firstly, let’s understand what constitutes an internationally recognized state according to international law. States are entities that are members of the United Nations and have been acknowledged and approved by existing member states. The criteria for statehood are outlined in Article One of the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States. This convention, now considered international law, is applicable to all nations and defines the necessary qualifications for statehood:

1. A permanent population,
2. A defined territory,
3. A government, and
4. The capacity to enter relations with other states.

The first criterion requires a state to have a stable and enduring population within a specific geographical area. There is no minimum number of inhabitants required. For instance, the Republic of Nauru, which had a population of only 6,500 when it gained independence in 1968, met this criterion. In comparison, when Artsakh declared independence in 1991, it had a population of approximately 189,000, predominantly Armenians, thus fulfilling the first qualification.

The second criterion demands a state to possess a generally defined territory, though precise borders are not necessary. Several states, including Israel, were admitted into the UN without having their final borders defined after World War Two. Artsakh declared its independence within the defined territory of the so-called Nagorno Karabakh autonomous oblast, which was part of the Azerbaijani Soviet Republic. Today, Artsakh covers an area of about 4,400 square kilometers, demonstrating a generally defined territory since its independence, fulfilling the second qualification.

The third criterion mandates the presence of a government with some level of control over the state and its citizens. There is no requirement for a specific form of government structure. Artsakh has its own fully functional government, established just 20 days after the independence referendum. As of 2020, it has a constitution, a ministry of foreign affairs, a police force, and regularly holds presidential and legislative elections in a democratic manner, thereby fulfilling the third qualification.

In summary, Artsakh meets the criteria set forth by the Montevideo Convention for statehood. It has a permanent population, a defined territory, and a functioning government, thus satisfying the essential prerequisites to be considered an internationally recognized state, irrespective of its formal recognition by other countries.

In 2020, Freedom House, an independent organization, ironically gave Azerbaijan a political rights score of two out of 40, while Nagorno-Karabakh, a region included in the same report, scored 13 out of 40. This difference in scores indicates a significant contrast in their political freedom, with Nagorno-Karabakh appearing 6.5 times more politically free than Azerbaijan.

Despite not being internationally recognized as a state, Artsakh, as Nagorno-Karabakh is also known, fulfills the criteria for statehood according to the Montevideo Convention. It boasts a stable and effective system of government since declaring independence. Moreover, it meets the third criteria by having the capacity for relations with other states, demonstrated by maintaining permanent representative offices in several countries.

The final criteria for statehood involve the ability to act independently as a state without reliance on other states. Artsakh has a self-defense army and demonstrated its capability to enter into international relations by being a signing party in the 1994 ceasefire agreement.

However, the lack of international recognition poses challenges for Artsakh’s interactions with other states, as it hinders formal acknowledgment and membership in international bodies like the UN. Despite this, according to Article 3 of the Montevideo Convention, Artsakh still has the right to defend its integrity and independence, even before recognition.

International recognition is crucial for Artsakh to fully exercise its international rights and duties. It should be noted that the recognition of a new state is purely a political decision and depends on the interests of existing states. The criteria for statehood must be met before any recognition, and it is not compulsory for existing states to recognize new ones.

The process of recognition involves considering factors such as the means by which the state came into existence, whether through force, territorial acquisition, racial discrimination, etc. Self-determination is a guiding principle that legitimizes the use of force in pursuit of people’s right to determine their own political status, as demonstrated in the case of Bangladesh in 1971.

In summary, Artsakh fulfills the criteria for statehood, operates as a de facto state, and has the right to act as a state even without international recognition. However, recognition by other states remains essential for it to fully exercise its international rights and responsibilities.

The acceptance of the independence of Bangladesh was based on the exercise of their right to self-determination. This right, recognized by international law and the UN Charter, is frequently mentioned in the conflict. Advocates argue for the legitimacy of Bangladesh as an independent state, highlighting the historical presence of the Bengali people in the region.

Throughout history, the Bengali people have faced foreign domination but maintained some level of autonomy under various empires, including during their time within the Soviet Union as an administrative division or oblast. However, their rights were restricted, and discrimination persisted under Azerbaijani and Soviet authorities. This situation worsened when Azerbaijan imposed economic blockades, depriving the people of essential resources.

The concept of self-determination is permissible for a population living under foreign rule and enduring gross human rights violations. However, this right is constrained by the principle of territorial integrity, which also holds legal significance in international law and is recognized by the UN Charter.

Azerbaijan claims territorial integrity, including over the Artsakh region. Still, this claim lacks a legal basis because when Azerbaijan separated from the Soviet Union, autonomous oblasts like Artsakh had the right to decide their future, including the possibility of independence. The Nagorno Karabakh Republic exercised this right by proclaiming independence two days after Azerbaijan’s Declaration of Independence. A referendum held in December 1991 resulted in an overwhelming vote for independence, making Artsakh’s Declaration of Independence lawful and valid.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan’s historical claim to the Artsakh territory during its initial independence request in 1991 lacks legitimacy, as the region was disputed between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the time. This further supports the notion that Azerbaijan has no legitimate territorial rights over Artsakh.

Despite Artsakh’s legal basis for independence and its current de facto state, the international community has been hesitant to recognize the Republic of Artsakh. The reasons for this reluctance remain complex and multifaceted.

Recognition depends solely on the self-interest of the international community. This reveals a significant flaw in the legal aspect of international relations. The world, as we all know, often prioritizes financial gains over justice. Consequently, oil-rich Azerbaijan enjoys greater financial value compared to a small state seeking to live peacefully and exercise its rights. Moreover, the pressure from involved parties, such as Turkey siding firmly with Azerbaijan due to historical aggression against anything Armenian, further complicates the quest for independence for the state of Artsakh.

pic.twitter.com/utqUo12JTy

— 🇦🇲 David NANIGIAN, Ph.D., MBA (aka “Dr. N”) 🇦🇲 (@DavidNANIGIAN) July 30, 2023

The Armenian people have learned from this situation that despite Azerbaijan’s illegitimate reasons for aggression, violation of human rights, and perpetration of war crimes, including heinous acts like beheading prisoners of war and targeting religious and medical facilities, the international response remains insufficient. Azerbaijan resorts to using lies and deception to shape a media narrative, even with evidence from reputable organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch pointing to their use of cluster bombs.

Regrettably, no state in the world has taken substantial action to protect the Armenian people from the threat of genocide, except for the Republic of Armenia itself. Consequently, it falls upon each individual to pray and pressure their leaders to prioritize justice over financial interests. This is a clear-cut case, and Armenians worldwide have voiced their concerns loudly, but they should not have to face this struggle alone. The Republic of Artsakh and its people have the rightful claim to live peacefully in their homeland, as supported both legally and historically, for Artsakh is Armenia.