Today,
the Office of the Human Rights Defender has received alarming-calls about the
fact that Azerbaijani servicemen have been setting fires in the vicinity of
Verin Shorja, Nergin Shorja and Ayrk villages of Gegharkunik. This primarily
concerns the grasslands and pastures of the residents, which are being
destroyed by the fires.
Taking
into consideration that the Azerbaijani armed servicemen have invaded and
positioned themselves in the immediate vicinity of the villages in the
sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, the fires pose a real threat to
the civilian population of the villages as well. These fires are contributing
to the deepening of people’s social issues.
This
information was provided to the Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia
by the residents of the villages. The Office of the Defender has substantiated
this information through several sources, including through objective evidence.
The
studies of the alarming-calls prove that these subversive acts against the
civilian population of Armenia are committed deliberately.
Approximately
a month ago, the Azerbaijani servicemen had set fires in the vicinity of the
villages of Gegharkunik provinces (Kut, Verin Shorja, Sotk, etc.). This
concerns areas on higher plateaus, where people are obliged together with
firemen and rescue workers, to put out the fires by hand, while the Azerbaijani
servicemen were setting new fires.
There is no alternative to the withdrawal of
the Azerbaijani armed forces from the vicinity of the villages and from the
roads between the communities of Armenia, in order to guarantee the rights of
the border residents of Armenia, and their peaceful and secure life. It is the
security zone that can ensure the rights of the border residents.
The
evidence of the actions of the Azerbaijani armed prove that they are becoming
more dangerous for the civilian population, have a direct intention to harm
them, and have become targeted; There are gross violations of human rights.
This
statement of the Human Rights Defender will be sent to international
organizations; it will also be sent separately to the state bodies of Armenia,
and to civil society organizations
Mr.
Arman Tatoyan
The
Human Rights Defender of Armenia
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