WASHINGTON — The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) welcomed a letter to President Biden by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, making clear that Azerbaijan’s actions with respect to the ongoing blockade of Artsakh “cannot be tolerated.”
She wrote, in part, “On behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as home to the second largest Armenian population in the United States, I wrote to express my deep concern with the months-long Azerbaijani blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) to the Republic of Armenia, and the worsening humanitarian crisis that has resulted. This blockade has been devastating to the Armenian population in the region, rendering 120,000 individuals without access to the route that provides much of Artsakh’s food, medical supplies and transport, and other essential goods, and depriving them of their right to freedom of movement.”
She continues, “The overall efforts of the United States to support and facilitate a lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan are of tantamount importance. Credible news reports, human rights organizations and members of the Armenian American community are sounding the alarm about the risks of another Armenian Genocide. Azerbaijan’s actions to further degrade already strained living conditions for the vulnerable Armenians living in Artsakh cannot be tolerated.”
“We commend Governor Healey for standing in support of human rights and in support of the Armenian people,” stated Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian. “While we appreciate the active engagement of the Administration, the humanitarian crisis created by Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh continues and additional measures are urgently needed to end this inhumane blockade and help prevent another Armenian Genocide,” the Co-Chairs emphasized. In her letter to President Biden, Governor Healey stated that “credible news reports, human rights organizations, and members of the Armenian American community are sounding the alarm about the risks of another Armenian Genocide. Azerbaijan’s actions to further degrade already strained living conditions for the vulnerable Armenians living in Artsakh cannot be tolerated.” The Governor urged the President to “find any avenues possible to support…humanitarian assistance to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, and continue forging ahead in our diplomatic efforts to lift the blockade.” Further, the Governor highlighted that the “Commonwealth of Massachusetts has long recognized the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh…”
