Kapan city of Syunik region, Nerkin Hand, Shikahogh, Srashen
villages were visited by a fact-finding team headed by the Republic of Armenia
(RA) Human Rights Defender on February 16, 2021. The visit recorded violations
or dangers for residents' right to life, property, and other vital rights.The
visit was accompanied by the head of Kapan community Mr. Gorg Parsyan and other
competent community representatives. During the visit, detailed discussions
were held, including private conversations with the residents.
Professional observations were made, and studies of applications
and complaints registered were undertaken an individual case by case analysis
and assessments. Based on the information gathered during the course of the RA
Human Rights Defender’s visit to the region, the following are the relevant findings:
1) Azerbaijani armed servicemen in the immediate vicinity of the
villages of Kapan community continue to discharge small and large-caliber
weapons. The shootings are regular, both during the day and at night. They are
clearly and unmistakably heard in the villages, causing anxiety, first of all
to the women and children. The Human Rights Defender has already published
evidence of Azerbaijani shootings in the vicinity of Kapan community villages.
The next day of our visit, the same information was also communicated to the
Syunik regional subdivision of the Defender's Office by the residents of Tsav
and Chakaten villages and was subsequently verified.
2) Due to the process of "determining" the borders of
the Republic of Armenia with Azerbaijan, as one of the many consequences of the
September-November war of 2020, the pastures, the private and community arable
lands of the referenced villages of Kapan are being targeted by the Azerbaijani
armed forces. This turn of events has made it impossible to make use of the
pastures and arable lands.
3) During the visit, the residents of Shikahogh, Srashen and
Nerkin Hand villages reported that shots were fired while they were engaged in
agricultural work on their lands and in broad daylight. In some cases, they
were on their lands with their children and grandchildren.At the same time, the
Azerbaijani servicemen who fired the shots are at such a distance (even less
than 1 km) that the lands of the Armenian villagers are visible to the naked
eye. In other words, they are clearly observing these civilians and are
witnesses the villagers‘ carrying out their daily chores and the agricultural
work on their lands.All of this poses also poses a direct threat to the
children. Notably, the Azerbaijani military is located less than one (1) km
from the school near the village of Nerkin Hand.These facts have been verified
by the observations of the Human Rights Defender's staff, the alarming concerns
raised by community bodies, and by the residents in these regions.
4) The presence of Azerbaijani servicemen (including Azeri flags
and signs) on the road from Kapan to Chakaten and other villages in Kapan
community of Syunik region have seriously hampered the free movement of
civilians and, foremost among them, the residents of the surrounding villages.
According to these residents, as it turns out, there are Azerbaijani armed
servicemen in these areas to "protect" the signs and/or flags from
the residents.Because of all this, the villagers, even for their vital needs
(for example, going to or returning from a medical facility), have to refrain
from walking and traveling on those roads in the evening hours, for their own
safety, and for the safety of their families.
5) The description once again confirms that the presence of
Azerbaijani armed forces (flags and placards) in the immediate vicinity of
Armenian villages or on roads connecting communities, or any movement of them,
grossly violates the property rights of residents, including their ability to
earn a living, and it seriously endangers their life and health, physical and
mental inviolability, and other rights of vital importance which are guaranteed
internationally and by the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia. These
disruptions and infringements on the safety and security of the people also
extend to and affect the lives of the children of this region. All of these
transgressions are directly due to the hasty processes of applying mechanical
approaches and imposing dire consequences to the population of Armenia. Under
Azerbaijani threats of war and use of force, without professional commission
work, and at expense of the legitimate interests of the border residents, their
internationally guaranteed rights, and consequently the requirements of the
rule of law, these trespasses continue to take place.
6) During the February 16, 2021 visit, the staff of the RA Human
Rights Defender, with the participation of the head of Kapan community also
discussed issues related to the provision of social assistance and
socio-economic rights to the villagers. Specifically, issues related to the
process of refunding of deposits and/or payments made were discussed in the
village of Nerkin Hand.
7) During the visit, the
head of Kapan community and a number of community officials provided the Human
Rights Defender with detailed information on the referenced issues, as well as
the problems related to the social sphere, the living conditions, as well as
the security concerns of the villagers in other villages of Kapan. Accordingly,
the findings derived from the visit are being summarized by the Human Rights
Defender's Office. Proposals will be submitted to the competent state bodies,
and if necessary, clarifications will be sought to address each of these
matters.
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