What is UNICEF doing to protect children’s rights in besieged Artsakh? The Armenian office is silent with no response from the regional office

A few days ago, 168.am asked UNICEF Representative in Armenia, Christine Weigand, what practical steps have been taken to support the children of the Republic of Artsakh, who have been under siege for almost a month.

In a written request, we specifically reminded that the blockade has a negative impact on children living in Nagorno-Karabakh, many of whom are also left without parental care as a result, because their parent or parents are in Armenia and do not have the opportunity to go to Artsakh, or vice versa – the children are in Armenia and do not have the opportunity to join their parents.

The right to life of newborns is also at risk, because there is a diminishing lack of proper conditions for medical care and food.

We inquired from Mrs. Weigand:

“In the statement released by your office, it is mentioned that UNICEF continues to seek dialogue and cooperate with all actors in order to gain access to support the children living in that area. Please inform:

1. What steps have finally been taken in this direction, which actors have you turned to, what answers have you received and what are the results?
2. When is it planned to access Artsakh to support the children living in this territory?
3. What will be your steps in protecting children’s rights?”

However, strange as it is, in response to our questions, the Armenian representation of UNICEF, a pioneer organization of humanism, told us that they do not have the right to respond at the moment, urging us to contact their regional office.

Of course, this was a somewhat strange response. Nevertheless, 168.am also sent a written request to Iryna Mazur, Regional chief of communication for UNICEF in Europe and Central Asia. Hopefully, she has the right to address this anti-human crisis and the rights of children living in Artsakh that are violated every day as a result of this crisis.

Zaruhi Dilanyan