Toronto-Armenians gather to protest against Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of Artsakh

Hundreds of Toronto-Armenians gathered in Nathan Phillips Square to call on the Canadian Government to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its crimes against humanity

(TORONTO- December 23, 2022) A group of demonstrators gathered at Nathan Phillips Square to demand the immediate withdrawal of Azerbaijani citizens from blocking the only corridor that connects Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) to the outside world. The demonstrators also called on the Government of Canada to voice their outrage at the human rights violations and genocidal aggression of the Azerbaijani regime. The protest was organized by the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada.

On the morning of December 12, a group of Azerbaijani citizens, disguised as concerned “environmentalists” and backed by the central Baku regime, blocked the Lachin corridor, the only route connecting the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to Armenia and the outside world. The road continues to remain closed to all traffic, beseiging the people of Artsakh and depriving them of receiving humanitarian aid or basic necessities. This blockade has put human life at serious risk. Currently, 1100 citizens are displaced in neighbouring Armenia, local markets are facing food and goods shortages, and hospitals are unable to effectively treat patients as medical supplies run low.

Narod Kelebozian, member of the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada, in her opening remarks, stated the following to the attendees, “This is yet another example of the consequences of the relative silence of the international community, and why it is imperative for the rest of the world to adopt a unified stance to condemn Azerbaijan and hold them accountable for their genocidal aggression.”

Genocide Watch, on September 23, declared Azerbaijan’s aggression and war crimes in Artsakh a Genocide Warning. Given Canada’s long tradition of international involvement and high value on humanitarian intervention, the demonstrators called upon the government to voice a unilateral and urgent condemnation against the unprovoked aggression by Azerbaijan to prevent a second genocide of the Armenian people. “Canada was once an ardent champion of the R2P [Right to Protect] doctrine. What our friends and family are going through in Artsakh makes this doctrine very applicable. Canada must use all diplomatic tools to apply multilateral pressure on Azerbaijan to abide by its commitment to the ceasefire and the norms of international law,” said one of the protesters.

Narod Kelebozian, member of the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada, demands for the immediate withdrawal of the Azerbaijani citizens blocking the Lachin corridor. Photo Credit: Ishkhan Ghazarian for Horizon Weekly

The demonstrators then marched through the streets of Toronto demanding for the Azerbaijani government to immediately lift the blockade, the recognition of the Republic of Artsakh, and Canada to take a more active role in combatting Azerbaijani aggression.

“The international community constantly calling on both sides to come to a peaceful resolution will not safeguard the future of Artsakh. We cannot find peace with a state that has exhibited terrorist behaviour, time and time again. The only way to uphold the indigenous Armenian population’s fundamental human rights is through the recognition of the Republic of Artsakh,” said another protester.

The post-war landscape of no-war-no-peace and human rights violations by the Azerbaijani people is among the primary concerns for Canadian-Armenians. A once vibrant country rich with flora and fauna and cultural heritage sites, is now in ruins and unable to rebuild as Azerbaijani forces continue to violate the terms of the November 2020 ceasefire. Canadian-Armenians are asking the Government of Canada to partner with multilateral partners and hold Azerbaijan culpable for their aggression and violence towards a peaceful population on their indigenous land.

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Founded in 1934, the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada is the largest and most influential Armenian-Canadian youth organization, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness among Armenian-Canadian youth.