Since December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan has blocked the Goris-Stepanakert road, the only route connecting Artsakh to Armenia and the outside world. Overnight, 120,000 people were cut off from food, medicine, and essential supplies. No land passage. No air corridor. Total isolation.
The blockade has triggered a deepening humanitarian catastrophe, threatening the lives, safety, and fundamental rights of an entire population, with children bearing the heaviest burden.
120,000
People Isolated
Cut off from food, medicine, and the outside world
30,000
Children Affected
Denied their right to education, safety, and healthcare
Dec 12, 2022
Blockade Began
The day the only road to Artsakh was sealed
“The continuation of the blockade has inevitably led to a humanitarian crisis: new human losses, the threat of renewed war, and escalating tension across the region.
Joint Statement by Armenian Educational Organizations
- Road Blockade BeginsAzerbaijan blocks the Goris-Stepanakert highway in both directions, severing the only land route connecting Artsakh to Armenia.
- Supply Crisis EscalatesFood, medicine, and essential goods can no longer reach the 120,000 residents of Artsakh. Emergency vehicles are denied passage.
- Gas Supply Deliberately CutAzerbaijan suspends natural gas delivery during winter, leaving tens of thousands of children without heating, hot water, or adequate food for days.
- Education System ParalyzedSchools, kindergartens, and universities face repeated closures. 30,000 children are denied their internationally guaranteed right to education in a safe environment.
30,000
Children Denied Their Right to Education
The blockade has paralyzed Artsakh's education system. Kindergartens, schools, and universities face repeated closures, while Armenian and international educational organizations are unable to operate.
- UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
- UN Convention Against Discrimination in Education
The international community cannot stand by and tolerate such human rights violations. Impunity only encourages further crimes against civilians. Only strong, targeted criticism and decisive action can ensure the safety, well-being, and right to education of the 30,000 children living in Artsakh.
A coalition of education and science organizations calls on international actors, institutions, and foreign diplomatic missions to fulfill their responsibilities:
Restore the right to education for the children of Artsakh. Ensure a safe educational environment. Prevent discrimination against the entire population.
It is essential to promptly reestablish safe passage via the Goris-Stepanakert highway and, as an additional measure, to provide air transportation for urgent humanitarian purposes.
We stand ready to support and share our experience in developing short-term and long-term action plans to implement these measures.
Sincerely,
- Teach For Armenia
- Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises
- TUMO Center for Creative Technologies
- Ayb Educational Foundation
- Armenian Educational Foundation
- Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU)
- Children of Armenia Charitable Fund
- “Shirakatsy Lyceum” International Scientific-Educational Complex
- reArmenia Collaboration Platform
- Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) Armenia
- KASA Swiss Humanitarian Foundation
- Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST)
- “I” Education Fund
- “Armenia’s Technology Future” Initiative
- “One Voice” Armenian Association of Independent Schools
- Effective Government Foundation
Stand With Armenian Children