Azerbaijan Demands Passport Checks for Red Cross Drivers and Patients

Since April 29, the transfer of patients from Artsakh to medical facilities in Armenia through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross has ceased, along with the supply of medicines to Artsakh. The reason is the latest obstacle created by Azerbaijan, as representatives of Azerbaijani security forces at a blocked section near Shushi have demanded passport and vehicle checks for Red Cross drivers and the patients being transported, a practice that was not previously implemented and contradicts international humanitarian law norms. This was reported by the Ministry of Health of Artsakh.

During this period, two seriously ill patients have been transferred to specialized medical institutions in Armenia through the Russian peacekeeping forces, while 30 patients are waiting for urgent transfer. The transportation of patients is currently not being carried out, and this issue is becoming increasingly urgent.

At present, the supply of medicines to the Republic of Artsakh by the International Committee of the Red Cross has been suspended, but there is hope that it will resume soon. Due to the suspension of medicine imports, all medical facilities under the Ministry of Health of Artsakh have once again halted planned surgeries, which had been partially resumed weeks ago. Certain efforts are being made to resolve this issue, and we hope that the unimpeded movement of the Red Cross will be restored in the near future.