ANC UK Newsletter
August 2023
|
|
| Take Action: Azerbaijan is committing Genocide in Artsakh |
|
|
Azerbaijan is committing Genocide in Artsakh, we ask you to Take Action Now!
Join our campaign and write to your MP!
Please follow this link and write to your MP to alert them of the blockade of Artsakh:
https://ancuk.org.uk/take-action/write-to-your-mp/
You can also raise awareness of the situation in Artsakh by sharing information regarding the blockade of Artsakh with those around you and by following us for regular updates on the situation in Artsakh.
Demand the UK government to #SanctionAzerbaijan and #StopArtsakhBlockade
|
|
|
Despite the summer recess period at the UK Parliament, some MPs are already responding to the campaign given the urgency of it, accelerating it further with the Foreign Secretary.
The more of us write to MPs, the more pressure falls on the UK Government to act and help end the blockade of Artsakh! |
|
|
| The situation in Artsakh has significantly deteriorated since our last newsletter – the first death from starvation has occurred as a result of Azerbaijan’s genocidal blockade, the Lemkin Institute has issued an active Genocide alert in respect of Artsakh, and the peaceful population of Artsakh lacks water, food and medical supplies as the blockade of Artsakh continues for 8 months.
Please see below efforts made by the members of the APPG for Armenia and those who support our cause, as well as how they have advocated for Artsakh. |
|
- Action taken by the officers of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Armenia and other group members
The Chair of the APPG for Armenia, Tim Loughton MP, wrote to the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, on behalf of all officers of the APPG, as well as issued a statement asking for the UK Government to (i) take sterner actions against Azerbaijan and (ii) apply sanctions encouraging Azerbaijan to open the Lachin Corridor.
- Statement made by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Armenia urging action in respect of the blockade of Artsakh
The APPG for Armenia made a statement calling the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to “take a stand now against the atrocities being committed in Nagorno-Karabakh by the Azerbaijan Government“.
The statement is by Tim Loughton MP (Chairman of the APPG for Armenia) on behalf of the APPG for Armenia and is addressed to the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly. The APPG for Armenia urges the British Government to break its silence in respect of the continuing atrocities being carried out by the Azeri Government against the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh.
In the statement, the APPG for Armenia highlights the total ban which Azerbaijan has imposed on everything needed for the survival of Artsakh’s (Nagorno-Karabakh’s) population. Miscarriages have risen three times in recent months due to lack of basic food items and medicine, over 90% of pregnant women of Artsakh have anaemia as a result of the blockade, and the International Committee of the Red Cross is not able to bring humanitarian assistance to the civilian population due to the blockade of the Lachin Corridor.
The statement further highlights:
“The EU, its European Council President Charles Michel and many European countries have strongly condemned Azerbaijan’s actions and called for the blockade to be lifted immediately, especially in light of the rapidly deteriorating conditions recently. The APPG for Armenia is asking the British Foreign Secretary to do the same and to make it clear that there will be consequences for Azerbaijan’s actions if it does not act now.”
As always, we are very thankful to the members of the APPG for Armenia for the constant hard work which they are carrying out to help bring the issues which the Armenian population of Artsakh faces to the attention of the British Government. |
|
- Tim Loughton MP writes a letter to Foreign Secretary on behalf of APPG for Armenia
Tim Loughton MP, Chairman of the APPG for Armenia, wrote a letter addressed to the Secretary of Statement for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the Rt Hon James Cleverly MP:
“The British Government has clearly indicated its determination to impose sanctions on aggressor nations with its tough actions against Russia and Russian citizens following the illegal invasion of Ukraine. We therefore believe that the time has come to impose economic and political sanctions on Azerbaijan and its leaders for non-compliance with international provisions, for the occupation of part of the territory of the Republic of Armenia, for Azerbaijan’s war crimes and for the blockade vis-à-vis Nagorno-Karabakh.”
“We also support calls to set up an air corridor in order to provide emergency economic and humanitarian aid to Artsakh and to guarantee the safety of air links from Stepanakert airport. At the very least the UK Government needs to have its voice heard loudly and clearly in condemnation of this illegal and unjust persecution of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia by the Azerbaijan regime.” |
|
- Leo Dochery, MP and Minister of Europe, responds to an earlier letter sent by Tim Loughton MP
Leo Docherty, MP and Minister for Europe, responded on 10 August to a letter sent by Tim Loughton MP regarding the detention of Gubad Ibadoghlu in Azerbaijan and the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh.
“We continue to press for the reopening of the Lachin Corridor, which provides access from Armenia into Nagorno-Karabakh via Azerbaijan, given the humanitarian risks”, said Leo Docherty, while also listing the instances where the UK urged the Azerbaijani authorities to reopen the Lachin Corridor.
“The UK Government remains in close contact with humanitarian agencies to understand the situation on the ground. We have a strong record of supporting humanitarian responses in this region; in 2020, we were the first country to support the International Committee of the Red Cross’s appeal to help those affected by the conflict. The START FUND, to which the UK is a significant donor, has allocated €350,000 to respond to the humanitarian consequences of the closure of the Lachin Corridor.” |
|
- Alex Sobel MP, Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) issues statement on Lachin Corridor
Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds, North West and Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) issued the following statement on 29 July:
“The Azerbaijan Government must end the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, which is creating a humanitarian crisis.”
We thank Alex Sobel for this statement and urge the Azerbaijani Government to act accordingly. |
|
- Lord Alton sends a powerful letter to the Foreign Secretary demanding action from the UK Government
Lord Alton of Liverpool sent a letter to Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State at the FCDO, calling the UK Government to address “the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor”.
In his letter, Lord Alton recalled the UN experts warned that the blockade “placed the lives of the residents – especially children, persons with disabilities, older persons, pregnant women, and the sick – at a significant risk”. He also quoted Luis Moreno campo’s report, noting that “starvation is the invisible Genocide weapon” and that “without immediate dramatic change, this group of Armenians will be destroyed in a few weeks”.
Finally, Lord Alton asked: “What is the UK Government doing to address the situation, whether by raising it with the Azerbaijani counterparts or UN mechanisms, or assisting the affected communities?“.
We thank Lord Alton for bringing these important questions to the attention of the UK Government and for immediate and effective action in respect of them. |
|
- Baroness Cox sends an urgent appeal to the Archbishop of Cantenbury
Baroness Cox sent a letter to the Lord Archbishop of Cantenbury alerting that “the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh has reached breaking point“. She called for immediate intervention and asked the Church “to issue a public statement in solidarity with the longsuffering Armenian Christians of Nagorno-Karabakh”.
We thank Baroness Cox for all the work which she does for the Armenian people of Artsakh. |
|
| Baroness Cox also issued another statement on the crisis in Artsakh. She highlighted:
“The suffering of the Armenian civilians in Artsakh continues to escalate. Anyone who is concerned abut the situation needs to do everything possible to call Azerbaijan to account for well-documented crimes against humanity and to ensure a peaceful solution to the current crisis – to enable the Armenians of Artsakh again to live in freedom in their historic lands.”
In her statement, Baroness Cox also rightly pointed that “Azerbaijan’s brutal policies to create the genocidal situation are well recorded and reported. They should generate appropriate responses from the international community.” |
|
 |
Annette Moskofian, Chairperson of ANC-UK: Interview with Aravot
Annette Moskofian, Chairperson of the Armenian National Committee of United Kingdom, was interviewed by Aravot on 2 August.
She highlighted that “recognising Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan has impeded our activities” and that “In the past, during the war, we did not have such problems. We all acted as one nation. However, today the Government of Armenia has a different agenda, which does not correspond to the agenda of the Armenian people, especially Hay Dat. Longing for Ararat and self-determination of Artsakh are not included in the agenda of this Government.”
To read the full interview, please follow this link: Aravot – Interview with Annette Moskofian |
|
| 2- The blockade as reported in UK press |
|
 |
Telegraph Article: ‘It is like a concentration camp’: The forgotten crisis on Europe’s doorstep
The article quotes Tim Loughton who criticised the “ distinct lack of a robust response” from the UK, highlighting that other countries, like France and the US, have publicly condemned Azerbaijan over the blockade.
“[The UK] needs to make it clear that, one, this is unacceptable, and two, if they don’t do something about it then there will be consequences – that could start with sanctions against Azerbaijan”, he added.
To read the full article: The Telegraph – Tim Loughton. |
|
 |
| The Guardian publishes article on the food shortage in Artsakh
|
|
 |
| “They will not be satisfied until we die in the streets”, said Hovig Asmaryan to The Guardian. “There is little food. Also lacking are essential medicines, hygiene products and baby formula, according to the International Committee for the Red Cross. Supermarkets are empty. Public bus services have stopped because of a lack of fuel. The city’s rush hour no longer exists. Many districts are without water and electricity”.
Read the full report of The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/22/inside-nagorno-karabakh-blockade-armenia-azerbaijan |
|
| 3- Other organisations and individuals supporting Artsakh |
|
 |
The British Alevi Federation joins other UK NGOs in support of Artsakh
The British Alevi Federation signed the appeal addressed to the leaders of the European Union from more than 470 European NGOs and associations. The appeal urges the European Union to take immediate and effective steps to end the ongoing illegal blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.
The letter calls Azerbaijan to comply with the binding order of the International Court of Justice and to unblock the Lachin Corridor. It also calls the European Union to “impose economic and political sanctions on Azerbaijan” and to help stop the “ethnic cleansing of the native Armenian population of Artsakh”, recognising their right to self-determination.
You can read the complete letter here: Petition. |
|
 |
| National Federation of Cypriots in the UK
|
|
 |
| Freedom House issues statement urging Azerbaijan to end the blockade
Freedom House issued a statement urging Azerbaijan to allow the Red Cross to provide vital humanitarian assistance to Artsakh, and immediately to work towards ensuring freedom of movement by opening the Lachin Corridor, guaranteeing unrestricted movement of individuals, vehicles and cargo.
|
|
 |
Statement by High Representative of the European Union on Artsakh’s blockade
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, issued a statement on the humanitarian situation of Artsakh. In his statement, Josep Borrell highlighted the following:
The European Union is deeply concerned about the serious humanitarian situation affecting the local population in the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. The movement through the Lachin corridor remains obstructed for more than seven months, despite Orders by the International Court of Justice to reopen it.
Medical supplies and essential goods are in short supply or have already run out, with dire consequences for the local population. It is incumbent on the Azerbaijani authorities to guarantee safety and freedom of movement along the Lachin corridor imminently and not to permit the crisis to escalate further.”
To read the full statement, please follow this link: Statement by High Representative of the EU. |
|
 |
Statement by the UK Embassy in Armenia against the blockade of Artsakh
The Head of the Political and Press Section of the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Armenia made the following statement during his visit of the diplomatic corps in Syunik:
“We reiterate our support for the International Court of Justice Order of February 2023 for Azerbaijan to ensure unimpeded movement along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.” |
|
 |
PACE President calls for a fact-finding mission to Azerbaijan
Tiny Kox, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), issued the following statement on 31 July:
“Given the further deterioration of the humanitarian and human rights situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, I recall the Assembly’s request of 20 June, to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, to organise a fact-finding mission to Azerbaijan as early as possible, with the aim of assessing the situation where Armenians live and have been affected by the absence of free and safe access through the Lachin corridor since 12 December 2022.
I join the call for dialogue voiced by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on 28 July 2023, and urge both Azerbaijan and Armenia, as Council of Europe Member States, to finally live up to their mutual commitment, made on their accession in 1991, to de-escalate tension and restore peace between their countries.”
|
|
 |
| Sam Mason’s article on Artsakh’s blockade
Sam Mason, CEO of the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART), wrote an article on the blockade of Artsakh. He highlighted:
“The humanitarian situation is critical and deserves an immediate and coordinated international response, starting with the restoration of free and safe movement through the Lachin Mountain Pass. NGOs such as ours should be granted swift access to the enclave, in order to provide life-saving assistance. Trucks must not be prevented from delivering basic supplies. We pray for peace and we support calls to lift the blockade.”
You can read Sam Mason’s full article here: The Tablet – Sam Mason. |
|
 |
The Secretary General of the UN expresses concern in respect of the blockade of Artsakh
The Secretary General of the United Nations expressed that he “is deeply concerned by the reports of continued challenges related to the freedom of movement along the Lachin Corridor.”
He further recalled “his previous statement on the need for the Parties to implement the Orders of the International Court of Justice (IC), including the Orders issued on 22 February 2023 and reaffirmed on 6 July 2023, related to measures to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.”
In his statement, the Secretary General highlighted his particular concern “about reports of the deteriorating humanitarian situation on the ground” and called “for urgent steps to facilitate access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need”.
To read the full statement, please click here: UN Press – Secretary General Statement.
|
|
 |
UNICEF issues a plea in respect of Artsakh
UNICEF has issued a plea to place the security and well-being of children in Artsakh as the top priority.
“We urge all parties involved and those with influence to prioritise the safety and survival of children above any other concerns”, stated UNICEF on 7 August.
|
|
 |
UN experts express alarm over blockade of Artsakh
A group of UN experts expressed alarm over the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan and the resulting humanitarian crisis in the region.
“The blockade of the Lachin Corridor is a humanitarian emergency that has created severe shortages of essential food staples including sunflower oil, fish, chicken, dairy products, cereal, sugar and baby formula,” the experts said. They further warned that the region was rapidly depleting its medical reserves and urged Azerbaijani authorities to immediately restore movement along the Lachin corridor – “We urge the Government of Azerbaijan to uphold its international obligations to respect and protect human rights, including the right to food, health, education and life”.
To read the full statement, please follow this link: United Nations Human Rights – UN Experts. |
|
| Former ICC prosecutor issued statement on the blockade of Artsakh |
|
| Luis Moreno Ocampo, former International Criminal Court prosecutor, issued a report stating that “there is an ongoing Genocide against 120,000 Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh“.
“There is a reasonable basis to believe that a Genocide is being committed against Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023”, the report added. “The International Court of Justice, at the request of Armenia, has already analyzed the Lachin corridor’s blockade” and considered it “plausible” that the Lachin Corridor blockade produced “a real and imminent risk” to the “health and life” of an ethnic group, “the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh”. “The intention, a subjective element required by the crime of Genocide, should be deduced from the facts and statements from President Aliyev, who has supreme authority in Azerbaijan”, said the report.
“President Aliyev deliberately blocked the provision of life’s essentials to the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh. He openly disobeyed the specific orders of the International Court of Justice, “to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles, and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.”
The full report: Expert Opinion – Genocide against Armenians in 2023. |
|
 |
Forbes Article by Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab on the blockade of the Lachin Corridor
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, co-founder of the Coalition for Genocide Response, wrote an article in Forbes on the “ alarming situation” as a result of Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor. The article highlights that “as Nagorno-Karabakh is being starved, the international community cannot continue looking away as it has done for the last eight months. The people of Nagorno-Karabakh require urgent assistance without any further excuses.”
You can read the full article here: Forbes Article by Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab.
|
|
 |
| UK Deputy Permanent Representative expresses concern about the situation in Artsakh during the Security Council’s special session
James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN during the Security Council special session about the situation in Artsakh on 16 August, highlighted:
“The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned at the ongoing disruptions to the Lachin Corridor, which threatens the supply of life-saving medication, health care, and other essential goods and services – resulting in humanitarian consequences for the local population.
It is therefore crucial that the IC order of February 2023 is respected to ensure the unimpeded movement along the Lachin Corridor in both directions”.
The full statement: Statement by UK Ambassador at UN Security Council meeting.
HART and the Argentinian Observatory for Human Rights publish report on Artsakh
The Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) and the Argentinian Observatory for Human Rights published on 21 August, highlighting that Armenians of Artsakh could face ‘total eradication’ from homeland.
Please read the full report here: Report of the HART of Baroness Cox. |
|
|
Following the calls from Artsakh to the diaspora we urge you to take action and write to your MP to raise the issue with the Foreign Secretary asking them to:
– demand once again that Azerbaijan immediately stops violating the November 9 ceasefire statement and remove the checkpoint on the Hakari-bridge installed in blatant violation of the binding order of the ICJ and international commitments, unblock the Lachin Corridor, secure the free and safe movement of people and goods to and from Artsakh;
– impose economic and political sanctions on Azerbaijan and its leaders for non-compliance with international provisions, for the occupation of part of the territory of the Republic of Armenia, for Azerbaijan’s war crimes and for the blockade vis-à-vis Artsakh;
– use all your leverage to prevent any control of Baku over Artsakh since this inevitably means the ethnic cleansing of the native Armenian population of Artsakh;
– recognize the right to self-determination of the native Armenian population of Artsakh as indispensable and use the leverage at your disposal to ensure that the status of Artsakh reflects the democratic expression of will of its native Armenian population and enables sustainable peace as well as security;
– set up an air corridor in order to provide emergency economic and humanitarian aid to Artsakh and to guarantee the safety of air links from Stepanakert airport;
– put pressure on Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its troops from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia and stop its aggressive stance towards Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia as a prerequisite for peace talks.
|
|
|
|
Please give today to help our campaigns
To continue our ever growing work in lobbying we urgently need funds to have paid staff. All our efforts are done on voluntary basis. Please donate so we can carry on working for the Armenian Cause and raise concerns of the British Armenian community.
|
|
|
Why Donate?
The Armenian National Committee of the United Kingdom (ANC-UK) is the largest and most influential British-Armenian political grassroots organisation.
Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Britain and affiliated organisations around the world, ANC-UK actively advances the concerns of the British-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.
The work achieved by ANC-UK is currently on a volunteer basis. However, we are hopeful that in the coming years through the financial support of our community, the ANC-UK chapter will have the necessary funds to open a full-time office employing an Executive Director and a part-time Administrative Assistant.
Setting up an ANC-UK office will allow for our organisation’s goals to be achieved as they have been throughout the diaspora in the United States of America, Canada, Australia and Europe.
As a grassroots organisation, we rely upon you, our community and friends for financial assistance to advance our cause. Your donations support our goal of having a full-time office, to advocate on issues important to all British-Armenians and the Armenian cause.
Thank you for your consideration of our request for your support.
|
|
|
|
|
|
