Supreme Spiritual Council: AAC will consistently protect realization  of right of self- determination of people of Artsakh

ArmInfo. The Supreme Spiritual Council, under the Chairmanship of the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, issued a statement regarding the 100th day of the Berdzor  (Lachin) Corridor blockade.

According to the press office of the Mother See of Etchmiadzin, the  statement reads, in part:  "It is with deep sadness that we state it  is already the 100th day that the authorities of Azerbaijan, with the  intensifying manifestations of anti-Armenian policy, have blocked the  Berdzor (Lachin) corridor connecting Artsakh to Armenia.

The physical and psychological pressures, violence and terrorist acts  carried out regularly by Azerbaijan against the Armenian population  of the Republic of Artsakh deepen the catastrophic humanitarian  situation. Contrary to the efforts of the peacekeeping personnel  stationed in Artsakh, as a result of the criminal actions of the  Azerbaijani authorities, people's -children, women and elderly rights  to life, treatment, movement and other fundamental rights are being  violated.

We highly appreciate the decision of the International Court of  Justice of the United Nations regarding the removal of the blockade  of the Berdzor (Lachin) corridor by Azerbaijan. We welcome the urge  of the Assembly of the European Parliament urging the authorities of  Azerbaijan to implement the decision of the International Court of  Justice of the United Nations.

We express our confusion that despite the strong demands of the  international community and its competent and influential structures  to open the road, the blockade continues to this day. We urge the  structures of the UN, the European Parliament and the European Union,  heads of state and religious leaders, to achieve the execution of the  judgment of the International Court by Azerbaijan with consistent  efforts and ensure the safe and normal life of the Artsakh  population.

Toleration of such a blatantly disrespectful approach by Azerbaijan  to the decision of the International Court of Justice will intensify  the humanitarian crisis, will create new dangers for the lives of  more than 120,000 people of Artsakh, will create an unforgivable  precedent of grossly circumventing the resolution of international  courts, at the same time causing a deep disillusionment with  international justice.  Our Holy Apostolic Church, having priority  over the salvation and safety of human lives, will consistently  protect the realization of the right of self- determination of the  people of Artsakh, based on the principle of independence for the  sake of salvation and safety."