The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) today decided to indicate an interim measure in a case brought by Armenia against Azerbaijan over the blocking of the Lachin Corridor.

The ECHR, in its decision, calls on Baku to ensure the free passage of seriously ill people needing medical treatment and those stranded on the roadway.

The ECHR, in a press release, writes: “The request concerned the alleged blocking of the ‘Lachin Corridor’, via which Armenian residents in Nagorno-Karabakh access vital services, in particular medical care.”

The request is part of the inter-State case Armenia v. Azerbaijan that is concerned with allegations of multiple serious violations of the Convention in the armed dispute around the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

“Noting that the extent to which the Government of Azerbaijan were currently in control of the situation in the “Lachin Corridor” was disputed and unclear at this stage, noting in addition the obligation of Azerbaijan under Article 6 of the Trilateral Statement signed on 9 November 2020 to “guarantee the security of persons, vehicles and cargo moving along the Lachin Corridor in both directions” and reminding them of their obligations under the Convention, the Court decided, in the interests of the parties and the proper conduct of the proceedings before it, to indicate to the Government of Azerbaijan, under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court, to take all measures that are within their jurisdiction to ensure safe passage through the “Lachin Corridor” of seriously ill persons in need of medical treatment in Armenia and others who were stranded on the road without shelter or means of subsistence.” - ECHR

(The European Court of Human Rights may, under Rule 39 of its Rules of Court, indicate interim measures to any State party to the European Convention on Human Rights. Interim measures are urgent measures which, according to the Court’s well-established practice, apply only where there is an imminent risk of irreparable harm.)