Nagorno-Karabakh: Canada says Armenians face 'deteriorating humanitarian situation'
CTV
The Canadian government is again blaming Azerbaijan for escalating tensions in its Nagorno-Karabakh region, saying it is concerned about the 'deteriorating humanitarian situation' for Armenians living in that region.
The Canadian government is again blaming Azerbaijan for escalating tensions in its Nagorno-Karabakh region, saying it is concerned about the "deteriorating humanitarian situation" for Armenians living in that region.
Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but it is mostly populated by Armenians, and neighbouring Armenia has fought for control of the region for decades.
Tensions rose in the area last fall, when the region's main access road was blocked by groups of people suspected of being affiliated with the Azerbaijan government, and then by officials who have limited vehicle access.
Azerbaijan insists the region isn't under a blockade, despite Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch saying food and essentials are severely restricted.
Last week, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it's been denied access to all routes into the region, resulting in shortages for medicine, food and baby formula.
Canada is planning on sending two officials to support a European monitoring mission that is aiming to prevent another war in the region.
The Red Cross expressed alarm about Azerbaijan's blocking of the area shortly after that country's foreign ministry cited the group's access to the area as proof that there was no blockade.
