By Emilio Luciano Cricchio
Freedom House, a US-based international human rights organization, has condemned Azerbaijan’s suspension of the gas supply to Nagorno-Karabakh, after the Azerbaijani side cut off the gas pipeline for a second time this winter.
Freedom House’s official account posted a tweet on March 24, calling on Azerbaijan to prevent a humanitarian crisis by restoring unhindered gas supplies to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, who have endured weeks of freezing temperatures without heat or hot water.
This is the latest international condemnation of Azerbaijan’s actions in the region. Yesterday, Peter Stano, the EU’s Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also urged Azerbaijan to resume the gas supply to Nagorno-Karabakh.
On March 8, the gas supply to Nagorno-Karabakh was disrupted after the single gas pipeline leading from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh was damaged. The gas pipeline was damaged in an area under the control of Azerbaijani forces. For over 10 days, Azerbaijani authorities prevented the Armenian side from repairing the pipeline.
On March 16, as a result of negotiations mediated by the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Karabakh, the Azerbaijani side began repairing the pipeline. On March 18, the gas supply was restored.On March 21, the gas supply was once again disrupted by Azerbaijan. According to Nagorno-Karabakh authorities, Azerbaijani authorities added an extra valve, allowing them to disrupt the supply of gas to Nagorno-Karabakh at will.
