The international community cannot idly stand by, Rep. Schiff says on 200th day of Artsakh blockade

The international community cannot idly stand by as innocent civilians are driven to the brink of starvation and despair, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) said in a statement to mark the 200-day blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan’s forces.

“This situation has devolved into a full-blown humanitarian crisis with an entire population being denied essential life-sustaining resources. Despite the calls of international bodies and even the ruling of the International Court of Justice that ordered Azerbaijan to lift the blockade, the Aliyev regime continues its harmful and illegal actions, demonstrating a blatant disregard for human rights and international norms,” Rep. Schiff said.

“In light of the news, where fatal clashes have once again erupted in Nagorno-Karabakh between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as Azerbaijan’s refusal to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross and Russian peacekeepers to deliver humanitarian aid and transport patients requiring urgent medical attention, the need for the international community to intervene and find a lasting solution to the conflict grows by each passing day,” he noted.

The Congressman stressed that the US needs to condemn these flagrant violations of human rights.

“The international community cannot idly stand by as innocent civilians are driven to the brink of starvation and despair. Strong measures must be taken to compel Azerbaijan to comply with international law, such as sanctions and the suspension of aid. I urge the Biden Administration and the international community to take urgent and decisive action before it is too late,” Schiff concluded.