Since
this morning, the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia has received
alarming complaints from the residents of the border villages of Goris, Sisian
and Tegh communities of Syunik province that the Azerbaijani military appeared
in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, more specifically in the territory
of the Black lake and in parts located in the direction of the Syunik province
civilian communities.
According
to the alarms, the Azerbaijani military servicemen were noticed by a shepherd
from Verishen village of Goris community from his place where small and large
cattle are kept. It was mentioned in the alarms that the shepherd's place is
located in the area of the pasture, which is constantly used by the residents,
at a depth from the lake to Verishen civilian community, and the lake itself is
located in the territory of the Republic of Armenia.
According
to the alarms, the Azerbaijani military threatened the shepherd of Verishen by
showing their weapons.
Besides,
both border residents and community bodies have assured the RA Human Rights
Defender that the Black lake has always been in the territory of Armenia with
the pastures adjacent to it since the Soviet years. According to residents and
community bodies, the Azerbaijani military even emerged from the Black lakw a
few kilometers in the direction of civilian communities and deployed in those
areas.
Immediately
after the alarms, the Defender's Office also conducted a study of media and
social media posts. The heads of the communities of the RA Armed Forces were
immediately contacted.
Today's
research by the Human Rights Defender confirms that the areas adjacent to Black
lake are of irreplaceable importance for the vital needs of the residents of
the border areas. These areas are used as pastures, as are the drinking water
and irrigation resources of the surrounding communities. The water is also used
for small and large cattle in the communities. Pastures are also used for
livestock, which serves as a source of income for the people; Tegh, Sisian,
Goris communities, Khnatsagh, Vaghatur, Khoznavar, Verishen and other villages
of those communities.
The
RA Human Rights Defender resolutely states that these actions of the
Azerbaijani Armed Forces grossly violate rights of Armenia’s border residents,
with the aim of intimidating them. The presence of the Azerbaijani military
servicemen deprives Armenian citizens of the opportunity to raise livestock and
use pastures, the only source of income for their families, and poses a real
threat to the access of irrigation and drinking water to the communities, their
lives and safety.
In
addition, according to confirmation, the Azerbaijani military is stationed in
the area from the Black lake to civilian communities.
The
actions described by the Azerbaijani military are an obvious provocations to
the population of Armenia. Due to their illegal actions, great tension has
arisen in the Armenian society throughout the day, people's mental immunity and
peace have been disturbed.
The
Human Rights Defender states that this illegal advance should be considered in
the context of incidents on the road between communities of Syunik province,
throwing stones at an Armenian civilian car oby Azerbaijani armed servicemen,
dragging and beating an Armenian shepherd near the village of Aravus, not
returning small and large cattle, etc.; these actions should also be viewed in
the context of the ongoing policy of hatred and Armenophobia by the Azerbaijani
authorities. It undermines the peace process in the region.
The
RA Human Rights Defender will send this statement to the international bodies,
stating that the described incident once again confirms that a security zone
must be established around the Syunik province as a matter of urgency.
The
Azerbaijani armed servicemen, their flags and signs should be removed near the
villages of the RA Syunik region and on the roads connecting the communities of
the province.
The
security zone is an absolute necessity to guarantee rights and peaceful life of
border residents of the Republic of Armenia, their physical and mental
immunity.
Arman
Tatoyan
The
Human Rights Defender of Armenia
Հայերեն
