Today, the Human Rights
Defender Mr. Arman Tatoyan visited Tegh community (Tegh municipality) of Syunik
province (Tegh became a border village after the war). Residents of Aravus,
Khoznavar, Khnatsakh and a number of other villages of the community took part
in the meeting in Tegh village.
Residents displaced after
the war from Berdzor, Kashatagh and a number of other communities of Artsakh
were also present at the meeting.
People have raised issues
related to compensation for the damage caused to them by the illegal actions of
the Azerbaijani servicemen.
It was mentioned that the
main issue facing the community is being deprived of the lands owned or leased
by the residents with legal documents provided by the competent authorities of
Armenia. The residents have taken loans from banks or credit organizations to
develop the above-mentioned lands, however, due to the illegal presence of
Azerbaijani servicemen in their territory, they could not receive the harvest.
The agricultural
equipment belonging to the residents remained in the territories of under
Azerbaijani control.
The residents took loans
to raise livestock; they bought large or small cattle, and built relevant
structures and barns.
However, during the
hostilities, the livestock of the people were either destroyed by the attacks
of the Azerbaijani armed forces or stolen by their military servicemen. After
the cessation of the armed attacks, some of their livestock remained in the
territories which are under Azerbaijani control, and the Azerbaijani armed
forces categorically refuse to return them (for example, in one case 120 small
cattle were not returned, while in another, 18 large cattle, etc.)
Many of the residents
mentioned that they have to sell their livestock at prices several times lower
than the market price, as it is not possible to have enough fodder, primarily,
it is not possible to collect grass for large and small cattle. The issue is
the fact that there are pastures where the Azerbaijani armed forces are
currently located illegally.
In the current situation,
people have no income to pay interest on loans, and banks or credit
organizations do not take into consideration their situation, and demand the
payment of the loan and its interest
During the meeting the
residents highlighted the necessity of the assistance and the benefits or
special programs envisaged for the residents of the border villages, so that
the social problems created as a result of security issues would not worsen.
Mr. Arman Tatoyan and his
Staff held detailed discussion with the women employees of the local textile
factory. The programs and initiatives to assist their entrepreneurial
activities were also discussed.
The Head of Office of the
UN Population Fund Ms. Tsovinar Harutyunyan also participated in the
discussions; similarly, Ms. Harutyunyan presented the possibilities of
assistances that could be provided to the residents.
The representatives of
the Office of the Defender recorded in detail the issues facing the residents
and the community as a whole, and provided consultations.
The Defender will take
all the necessary steps within his competence to solve the raised issues, in
collaboration with the competent authorities and partners.
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