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Influential human rights organizations Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International have referred to the deliberate closure of the Lachin corridor connecting Artsakh to Armenia and the outside world by Azerbaijan and the blockade of Artsakh since December 12, urging Azerbaijan to open the corridor and ensure people’s rights, the Artsakh ombudsman's office reported.

“We call on international community to reiterate its support for negotiations without coercion. Azerbaijan must cease its blockade of the Lachin corridor – the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to the outside world… We call on the OSCE Minsk Group countries and the sides of the November 9, 2020 trilateral statement to take the necessary steps to ensure the rights and security of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, including their freedom of movement," Freedom House said in a statement.

“Prolonged blocking of the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to the outside world could lead to dire humanitarian consequences. Regardless of who is blocking the road, Azerbaijan’s authorities and the Russian peacekeeping force deployed there should ensure that access remains open, to enable freedom of movement and ensure people have access to essential goods and services. The longer the disruption to essential goods and services, the greater the risk to civilians," Human Rights Watch said.

“Azerbaijan must end the blockade of the Lachin corridor, which has left residents of Nagorno Karabakh without access to essential goods and services. Freedom of movement and protection of economic and social rights for those affected must be ensured,” Amnesty international noted.

"The Human Rights Defender on a daily basis transmits information to the international human rights organizations, expecting their active involvement and support in protecting the rights of the people of Artsakh," the office said.