Human Rights in Armenia 2023 Ad Hoc Report

Introduction
Since 12 December 2022, Azerbaijan has been blocking the only road connecting Artsakh to
Armenia. Despite the decision of the International Court of Justice, which obliges Azerbaijan to
ensure the unimpeded movement of people, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor,
Azerbaijan’s illegal actions are aimed at the exact opposite. By regular violations of the ceasefire,
on April 23, Azerbaijan established a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor, completely banning
humanitarian transportation to Artsakh, even hindering the activities of the International
Committee of the Red Cross. The population of Artsakh and the authorities are warning about the
imminent famine and humanitarian disaster if the complete blockade continues. In parallel,
various public and political figures and citizens in Armenia regularly organize demonstrations and
movements demanding the lifting of the blockade of Artsakh, which remain unanswered by the
international community and the authorities of the Republic of Armenia.
In the conditions of Azerbaijan’s belligerent policy, numerous security issues remain unsolved.
On January 19, 15 military servicemen were killed due to a fire that broke out in the barracks of a
military unit of the RA Ministry of Defense located in the territory of Azat village, Gegharkunik
region, which flared up anger among the general public. On May 26, the Azerbaijani military
invaded the territory of Armenia and abducted servicemen Harutyun Hovakimyan and Karen
Ghazaryan, who were supplying food to defence positions, and were sentenced to 11 years and
6 months in prison in a show trial in Sumgait.
In the conditions of this unprecedented crisis, the intensifying political persecutions, violence by
law enforcement officers, usurpation of judicial power and disrespectful attitude of the authorities
towards human rights continue to increase in post-war Armenia.
In the first half of 2023 the intensity of the cases of torture and violence against citizens and
lawyers is accompanied by new manifestations of impunity and patronage, which is why the
Helsinki Committee of Armenia considers it necessary to publish this ad hoc report.