‘Azerbaijanis are allowed to protest only when it threatens the lives of Armenians,’ US Congress members

The closure of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijanis is systematic and aims to block the only supply route to Artsakh. This was stated by the co-chairs of the Armenian Issues Committee of the US Congress, Frank Pallone, Gus Bilirakis, Jackie Speier, David Valadao, and Adam Schiff.

“We condemn the aggressive actions taken by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is very concerning that Azerbaijanis are allowed to freely protest only when it threatens the lives of Armenians. Their blockade of the Lachin corridor is systematic and aims to disrupt transportation, the only route for food, medical supplies, and other essential goods to Artsakh, as well as to limit the freedom of movement of the people of Artsakh,” the US Congress members stated.

The co-chairs also addressed Azerbaijan's blockade of gas supplies to Artsakh. “According to additional information, Azerbaijan has also shut down a major source of natural gas supply for the region’s residents, leaving tens of thousands of people without heating in the cold conditions, as it did in March of this year. The blockage or threat of closure of these vital lines is yet another weapon in their hands against essential infrastructure, creating a humanitarian crisis for Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh. This has been preceded by a series of assaults against the Armenian people, encouraged by the grand rhetoric of Aliyev's regime. These assaults are documented,” the congress members noted.

They also called on the US and its European partners to use all available diplomatic tools to stop this crisis created by Azerbaijan. The co-chairs of the Armenian Issues Committee urged Aliyev to come to the negotiating table through the Minsk Group and other multilateral peace processes and to “ensure the involvement of the people of Artsakh in those discussions.”