Artsakh Urgently Appeals to UNSC for International Peacekeeping Mandate Amid Escalating Crisis

In the face of an escalating crisis and mounting regional instability, the Artsakh National Assembly has issued an urgent call to the Government of Armenia and the international community to endow peacekeeping forces with a robust international mandate. The move comes as the delicate peace in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) continues to teeter on the brink, imperiling the safety, security, and future of the region's population.

In a resounding statement passed on July 21, the Parliament of Artsakh called upon the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to adopt an imperative resolution, ushering in concrete measures aimed at restoring lasting peace in the beleaguered region. The appeal underscores the pressing need for international intervention to ensure stability, protect human rights, and prevent further hostilities.

Central to the appeal is the urgent request to vest the ongoing peacekeeping mission in Artsakh with a comprehensive international mandate. The Parliament of Artsakh, in collaboration with the Government of Armenia, seeks to initiate a series of practical steps through a resolution by the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly. The objective is clear: to uphold peace and security within the region through concerted international efforts.

The Parliament's statement emphasized the commitment of the Republic of Artsakh to safeguard its people from the ongoing specter of conflict and to reaffirm the fundamental principles of human rights and freedoms for all. The resolution seeks to rally global organizations to create a conducive environment that respects international law and ensures the dignified existence of the Artsakh population in an atmosphere of freedom.

The call to action hinges on the realization that the prevailing peace agreement, brokered in November 2020 with the involvement of Russian peacekeepers, has been systematically undermined by Azerbaijan's continued aggression. Despite the provisions of the UN Charter's Chapter 6 on Pacific Settlement of Disputes being invoked, Azerbaijan's hostile actions have plunged the region into a crisis, impacting both direct and indirect stakeholders.

The statement also decried the international community's neglect of the rights and aspirations of the people of Artsakh. The Parliament pointed out that the unilateral expression of will by the Republic of Artsakh and its people, through democratic processes such as the 1991 declaration of the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic and subsequent independence referendum, has been largely disregarded.

One of the most critical issues highlighted by the statement is the absence of an international mandate for the Russian peacekeepers stationed in Artsakh. This deficiency has emboldened Azerbaijan's actions, leading to violations that threaten regional stability and the safety of the local population.

The Parliament of Artsakh's statement also condemned Azerbaijan's relentless efforts to create an atmosphere of ethnic hatred, undermine civilian infrastructure, and deliberately destroy cultural heritage sites, which the statement defines as a policy of ethnic cleansing and a crime against humanity.

Of particular concern is the prolonged blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan, a blatant violation of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement. This critical lifeline, connecting Artsakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been cut off since late 2022. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Azerbaijan to ensure unimpeded passage along the corridor, an order that has been consistently ignored.

As the crisis deepens, essential supplies such as food and medication are in short supply due to the blockade. Hospitals are strained, normal operations suspended, and the lives of civilians are in jeopardy. The Red Cross has stepped in to facilitate the medical evacuation of patients, underscoring the dire humanitarian consequences of the ongoing crisis.

The urgent plea from the Parliament of Artsakh is a poignant reminder of the fragile state of affairs in the region and the imperative need for the international community to take resolute action. As the UN Security Council and General Assembly weigh the gravity of the situation, the fate of Artsakh hangs in the balance, and the world watches with bated breath for a swift and effective response to quell the escalating crisis.