"Prolonged blocking of the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with the outside world can lead to severe humanitarian consequences," said Hugh Williamson, Director of Human Rights Watch for Europe and Central Asia.
"Regardless of who is blocking the road, the Azerbaijani authorities and the Russian peacekeeping forces deployed there must provide people with freedom of movement and access to essential goods and services. The longer the interruptions in the supply of basic goods and services continue, the higher the risk for the civilian population," the head of the prestigious human rights organization stressed.
Although Azerbaijan denies that it is responsible for blocking the road, those who control the road and the adjacent territory, that is, the Azerbaijani authorities and the Russian peacekeeping forces, should ensure the passage of vehicles with humanitarian supplies and not interfere with freedom of movement, Human Rights Watch said.