On
July 26, the Armenian National Committee of Australia organized a discussion
with members of the Australian Parliament with the participation of the Human
Rights Defender of Armenia Mr. Arman Tatoyan on the war crimes committed by
Azerbaijan. The discussion also covered the issues of the involvement of
terrorists on the aggression against Artsakh by Azerbaijan, the rights of
border residents and the issue of the release of the Armenian captives.
Mr. Arman
Tatoyan presented the facts of the violations of the rights of the border
residents of Armenia by the Azerbaijani armed forces. In particular, the
Defender presented evidences which substantiate that there should not be
Azerbaijani soldiers, flags and signs in the vicinity of the villages of
Gegharkunik and Syunik provinces, and on the roads between the communities of
Syunik. Their presence is in itself a violation of the right to life of the
border residents.
Azerbaijani
servicemen regularly create obstacles for harvesting, they commit theft of
livestock, make threats against the residents, etc. These criminal acts of the
Azerbaijani servicemen are aimed at depriving the civilian residents of their
right to life, property, and other fundamental rights, and depriving them of
the opportunity to raise livestock and earn a family income.
The
Human Rights Defender of Armenia presented in detail the rules of international
humanitarian and human rights that require the immediate release and safe
return of the captives. Moreover, it is a gross violation of international
humanitarian law and a violation of the rights of captives to identify them as
"terrorists" or "saboteurs”, due to the fact that the armed
conflict is ongoing. The Defender noted that all the Armenian servicemen and
civilians are captives by status, they must be released immediately and returned
to their homeland without any political or other preconditions.
The
Azerbaijani authorities artificially protract and politicize the process,
grossly violating the rights of captives and their families, causing them
suffering and creating tension in society.
Mr. Arman
Tatoyan confirmed his conclusion yet again that the targeting of the peaceful
population of Artsakh, the use of prohibited weapons against them, the
involvement of terrorist mercenaries, the Armenophobia and the widespread
atrocities, inhumane treatment and cruelty prove the Azerbaijani policy of
carrying out ethnic cleansing in Artsakh by terrorist methods; a policy that is
still ongoing nowadays.
The
Defender noted that the opening of the so-called "exhibition-park" in
Baku dedicated to the war with state support is proof of Armenophobia and the genocidal
policy of Azerbaijan.
The
Armenian National Committee and members of the Parliament of Australia noted
the importance of the activities of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia
regarding the recording of the human rights violations during and after the
war.
Mr.
Arman Tatoyan’s report at the event was followed by a discussion between the
Defender and parliamentarians.
Հայերեն
