WCC NEWS: In joint letter to European Union, WCC and Conference of European Churches urge lifting blockade of Nagorno-Karabagh

The World Council of Churches and Conference of European Churches, in a joint letter to the European Union, are urging lifting the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh by reopening the Lachin corridor. Photo:Paul Jeffrey/WCC 04 August 2023 “The humanitarian crisis in the blockaded enclave of Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh) is escalating into tragic levels of experiences with the prolonged deprivations and sufferings of civilians,” reads the letter. “We are, thus, prompted to stress the urgency of finding solutions to the ongoing crisis.” Both organizations reiterated previous statements and positions on the need for urgent and immediate action by the international community. “The Lachin corridor is the only road that links the region to Armenia and it has been blocked for more than seven months, seriously affecting the lives and living conditions of 120,000 people, including children,” reads the letter. People are lacking food, medication, electricity, and fuel. “ Their fundamental human rights are increasingly violated on a daily basis,” reads the letter. “We reiterate our firm conviction that lasting peace could be built only on the genuine commitment of all interested parties in negotiations who take seriously the full observance of all human rights and the fundamental freedom of all people based on mutual trust and respect.” Read the joint letter to European Union, WCC and Conference of European Churches urge lifting blockade of Nagorno-Karabagh See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland