The “Global Media Forum” ended in Shushi on July 23. Meanwhile, at a distance of 10km, a humanitarian disaster is looming over 120,000 people in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). The only road to Armenia is closed.<\/p>\n
As the media forum attendees were mainly subjected to unaddressed accusations and criticisms, with little information about them, we attempted to identify the most notable guests who participated in the forum.<\/p>\n
According to Azerbaijani sources<\/a>, the forum was attended by 150 foreign guests, including 34 state news agencies, delegates from 12 international organizations, and media companies.<\/p>\n The guests participated in panel discussions, enjoyed refreshments, explored the city, and captured memories through photos. At the same time, the Lachin Corridor, the sole route that links Artsakh to the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan for over seven months. Even humanitarian transportation, such as that provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross, cannot use this route. However, in some cases, the committee is permitted<\/a> to transport<\/a> critically ill patients to Armenia.<\/p>\n The road closure has significantly increased<\/a> fetal loss during early pregnancy, nearly tripling the previous rate, resulting from high stress levels and malnutrition. According to a report<\/a> from the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh on June 12, approximately 1,400 individuals could not undergo surgeries because of the planned surgery suspension, depriving them of necessary medical treatment.<\/p>\n 11,000 people lost their jobs. Only a fraction of the necessary cargo was imported, about 13 times less than what was required.<\/p>\n The international community emphasizes<\/a> the significance of opening the Lachin Corridor but also suggests<\/a> delivering humanitarian aid from the Azerbaijani city of Aghdam. However, the people of Artsakh vehemently oppose<\/a> this idea.<\/p>\n The media representatives participating in the forum did not publicly address these issues during their visit. Only two organizations, the “International Federation of Journalists” and the “European Federation of Journalists,” have appealed<\/a> to the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure the free movement of journalists in Artsakh. They tried to go to Stepanakert, but the Azerbaijani forces did not allow them. Before that, the Armenian journalistic organizations addressed<\/a> their colleagues participating in the Shushi media forum, “As a professional, don’t you feel compelled to demand the freedom to travel from the Azerbaijani authorities? This would allow you to witness firsthand the tragedy that is unparalleled in the modern1\u00a7 world.”<\/p>\n Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also criticized the authorities of Azerbaijan for the organized forum. “The Global Media Forum organized by <\/span>#Azerbaijan<\/span><\/a> is ending with no progress for the press. Explanation: independent media & journalists have been kept away from the event. RSF denounces the limitless hypocrisy of Ilham Aliyev’s regime,” the organization’s tweet<\/a> reads.<\/span><\/p>\n Identification<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The participants have been identified through videos<\/a> that were distributed, as well as through Ilham Aliyev’s press conference<\/a> and photos<\/a>. Additionally, the names of the speakers have been published on the forum’s Facebook page.<\/p>\n