Artsakh Blockade Flash Update With Gev Iskajyan - Ep 263, June 15, 2023 [EP263]

Artsakh Blockade Flash Update with Gev Iskajyan - Ep 263, June 15, 2023

Armenian News Network Groong - June 15, 2023

Guest:

• Gev Iskajyan

Topics:

• Azerbaijan Blocks Lachin/Berdzor Corridor after Shootings near Hakari bridge
• Has Artsakh “returned to the negotiation table”?
• International actions viewed from Stepanakert
• Noting the half-year mark of the blockade
• Artsakh Ombuds Report summary

Episode 263 | Recorded: June 15, 2023

Show Notes

Azerbaijan Blocks Corridor Checkpoint after Shootings

Today Azerbaijan banned all humanitarian passenger and cargo through the Lachin Corridor, following shootings near the Hakari bridge that injured soldiers on both sides.

Question:

• What is the status?

Has Artsakh “returned to the negotiation table”?

Pashinyan’s government is touting its Artsakh policy, that they have returned Artsakh to the negotiations table.

Question:

• Is there any evidence in Stepanakert that Nagorno Karabakh is at the table?

International actions viewed from Stepanakert

The European parliament held a discussion about the blockade. In the US, Rep. Adam Schiff wrote to Biden, urging him to act quickly to help Artsakh.

Question:

• What’s the view from Stepanakert of such activities, let’s say including the ICJ ruling back in February, ordering Azerbaijan to cease and desist from the blockade?

Noting the half-year mark of the blockade

This week was the half year mark since Azerbaijan cruelly blockaded Artsakh from the outside world.

This week the Artsakh ombudsman’s office published its updated report of human rights violations against Artsakh citizens, including data from the blockade so far. Some of the main points include, and this is just a very high level summary, you can check the links in our show notes to find the actual data:

• Vastly reduced movement of passengers and goods between Artsakh and Armenia; and when we say “vastly” we’re talking about an over 99% reduction here, not a reduction of a few percentage points.
• Vastly diminished economic activity
• Vastly increased joblessness and job loss.
  • Job loss is estimated at over 11,000 jobs, and we’re talking here about a country of about 150,000 reduced now to 120,000. Assuming a 50% labor size of 60,000 people, this means that approximately 1 person in 6 lost their job and livelihood.
• No gas for 4 months straight.
• No electricity from outside for over 5 months straight.

Questions:

• What is the experience of daily life?
• How is the common Artsakh citizen surviving this calamity day in and day out?

Wrap-up

We hope you found our #ArtsakhBlockade Flash Update helpful. We invite your feedback and your suggestions. You can find us on most social media and podcast platforms. Thanks to Laura Osborn for the music on our podcasts.

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