Newsletter of the Artsakh Government – Day 72 Under Blockade

The Artsakh National Assembly adopted a statement on the 35th anniversary of the Artsakh Movement, the national liberation struggle of Artsakh Armenians 

“The events of 1988 have served as the ideological basis of every national program implemented in the pan-Armenian domain during the last 35 years. We have undergone many trials in the last three and a half decades. Today, Azerbaijan attempts to break the will of the people of Artsakh through this blockade. The STRUGGLE must become the mantra of every aspect of our lives.

Expressing the will and wishes of the people of Artsakh, the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh: 

calls on international structures and UN member states, in particular, the co-chair nations of the Minsk Group, to take concrete steps beyond statements and exhortations, to stop Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing and genocidal policies through political, economic, and military instruments;

appeals to our compatriots in the Diaspora and in the Republic of Armenia to consolidate the potential of the Armenian people in order to protect the dignity and existence of the Armenian nation and to take appropriate actions to curb the expansionist and aggressive actions of Azerbaijan.

The National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, as a collective body representing the voice of the people, is committed to fundamental human rights and, guided by the values and principles set forth in the UN Charter, is determined to realize the collective will of the people of Artsakh to live freely and independently in their historical homeland. Bowing in memory of the thousands of martyrs who gave their lives for the MOTHERLAND throughout time, we are ready to continue their holy mission toward victory.

Congratulating all Armenians and friends of Artsakh on the occasion of this anniversary, we hope that the February revival will serve as a new impetus toward the realization of our national aspirations.”

The President of Artsakh, the President of the National Assembly, and the State Minister issued statements on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Artsakh Movement 

Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan stated in his address: 
“February 20, 1988 entered the history of the Armenian people as a turning point and a decisive day, becoming a symbol of the revival of our national spirit and the unity and alliance of all Armenians. It was marked as Artsakh Revival Day.

Even after 35 years, our decision remains unchanged, our spirit unbroken, and our path unwavering. The people of Artsakh, who have been under blockade for more than two months now, have proved with their endurance and determination that, as was the case in historic 1988, today they remain the masters of the decision they have made, the master of the path they have chosen and the land of their ancestors, which has always been and must remain Armenian.”

National Assembly President Arthur Tovmasyan stated in his address:
“The spirit of February’s national revival, infused with the spirit of struggle, and the blood and sweat shed for our motherland and statehood, must serve as an impetus for new inspirations for us in these days. This is the formula for the vitality and longevity of the people of Artsakh.

Our national pride is inexhaustible. No one can disrupt it. We are determined in our fight. The will of the people of Artsakh to live and to create in their historical homeland is unshakeable.”

State Minister Ruben Vardanyan stated in his address:
“If not for the Movement, we would have lost not only Artsakh, but also Armenia. 

The people of Artsakh continue to fight for the right to live a free, independent, dignified life, such that the threat of ethnic cleansing and deportation from our homeland does not hang over our heads. Our neighbor Azerbaijan has responded to that with wars, loss of life, and difficult trials, which continue in the form of today’s blockade and the difficulties it has caused for us. 

Despite all the trials, our determination to keep Artsakh Armenian remains unshakeable. All those who deliberate and attempt to decide the fate of Artsakh without us do not understand that we took fate into our own hands 35 years ago on this day.” 

President Harutyunyan paid his respects at the Stepanakert Memorial

On February 20, the 35th anniversary of the Artsakh Movement, President Arayik Harutyunyan and other high-ranking state officials visited the Stepanakert Memorial, where they paid tribute to the fallen heroes.

The Artsakh MFA issued a statement on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Karabakh Movement, the national liberation struggle of Artsakh Armenians 

“Despite the incredible difficulties and trials, the people of Artsakh continue the struggle for their free and independent existence in their historical homeland, thereby realizing the right of peoples to self-determination, enshrined in international law, including the UN Charter,” the statement notes.

Artsakh Foreign Minister Sergey Ghazaryan was on a working visit to Russia on February 12-16

During his visit, the Foreign Minister held meetings with public, political, and expert circles, and representatives of the Armenian community.

Update of daily statistics

6 children are in the neonatal and intensive care units of the children’s hospital.

12 adult patients are in the intensive care unit, 4 of whom are in critical condition.

277 children have been born under the blockade.

About 690 people have been deprived of the opportunity to receive necessary medical treatment due to suspensions of planned surgeries in all medical facilities of Artsakh.

As of today, 105 patients have been transferred from Artsakh to Armenia to receive appropriate medical care with the mediation and accompaniment of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

755 business entities (17.7% of the total) have suspended their activities due to the impossible operating conditions under the blockade, while the remaining operate partially or with state support.

At least 5,100 people have lost jobs and sources of income as a result of the impact on the economy.

More than 28,400 tons of vital supplies, which would have been delivered during the period of the blockade, have not reached Artsakh. Only a meager amount has since been delivered by the ICRC and the Russian peacekeeping forces.

Key facts

Since the beginning of the blockade, many countries and international organizations have condemned Azerbaijan’s actions and called for the lifting of the blockade. The issue was also discussed in the UN Security Council, the European Court of Human Rights obliged Azerbaijan to take all necessary and sufficient measures to end the blockade, and the issue will soon be discussed in the UN’s International Court of Justice (The Hague) within the proceedings of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the humanitarian consequences of the blockade of Artsakh.

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