We have received concerning reports about the protection and safety of persons with disabilities impacted by the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis.
It is why, yesterday, on 17 October, we addressed an open letter to the international community (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the European Union) and to the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In the letter, we recalled that actors must respect:
- Their obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in particular Article 11 on situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies.
- the UN Security Council Resolution 2475 (2019) on Protection of Persons with Disabilities in Conflict.
- International Humanitarian Law, International Refugee Law, and the Humanitarian Principles.
We asked for concrete action to ensure that persons with disabilities:
- Have full access to all humanitarian aid.
- Are meaningfully involved in all humanitarian action, through their representative organisations.
- Are protected from violence, ill-treatment and abuse.
- Are accounted for and not abandoned: it is also essential that measures are in place which fully include people living in institutional settings; and relocation and evacuation measures should not force more persons with disabilities to live in such institutions.
- Are provided with accessible information about safety and assistance protocols, evacuation procedures and support.
- Have full access to basic services including food and non-food items, shelter, water and sanitation, mental health and psychosocial support, education, healthcare, rehabilitation services, transport and information.
- Have full access to specific services, assistive devices and support networks that may be required in relation to disability.
- Are fully included in Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) and in all forms of livelihood support.
- Are able to return to their homes if already displaced, and fully included in all aid (as listed above) if still residing in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Commenting on the situation, EDF President Yannis Vardakastanis said:
Persons with disabilities in or fleeing from Nagorno-Karabakh are at great risk of abandonment, abuse and even death. They cannot be left behind, and that is why we call on governments and aid agencies to fulfil their responsibilities and ensure that persons with disabilities are fully protected, supported and involved in all decision-making processes.