On
May 2, the Human Rights Defender, Ms. Anahit Manasyan conducted a working visit
to the border settlements of Gegharkunik province.
The
visit of the Defender aimed to carry out fact-finding activities on human
rights violations on the spot, collect facts and evidence confirming the
violations, and get acquainted with the issues of concern to the civilian
population.
The
data collected as a result of the visit prove that the Azerbaijani servicemen
continue to manifest aggressive behavior, threaten the villagers with weapons,
and often fire shots in the immediate vicinity of the settlements. The fact
that the houses and civil infrastructures of the residents of the border
settlements are being targeted is strictly worrying.
The
Defender's first stop was the Gavar community. Gegharkunik Province Governor,
Mr. Karen Sargsyan presented to Anahit Manasyan the current issues in the
province. The Defender assured that the human rights violations recorded during
the visit will be presented to the competent bodies and partner international
organizations in order to find possible solutions to the issues.
Further,
the Human Rights Defender visited the extended community of Vardenis. A meeting
was held with the Head of the community, Mr. Aharon Khachatryan, who presented
the existing and urgent issues to the Defender. After that, the Defender
visited the border settlements of Verin Shorzha, including Sarateghi, Kut,
Norabak, Sotk and Kutakan.
Ms.
Anahit Manasyan talked to the residents of the above-mentioned settlements.
They expressed concerns about their life and safety, physical and mental
immunity, property, education and other fundamental rights. Residents raised
issues on the use of pastures, grasslands and arable land. In addition, they
noted that in the current conditions it became difficult to engage in animal
husbandry and provide their families with vital necessities.
The
Human Rights Defender emphasizes that the use of force and the threat of use of
force by the Azerbaijani servicemen also pursuit the aim of terrorizing the
residents of the border settlements.
As
mentioned above, other collected facts will be summarized in the Office of the
Human Rights Defender and will be presented to the competent international
organizations and other actors, as well as to the competent state bodies.
Earlier,
on April 14, Ms. Anahit Manasyan conducted a working visit to Tegh community of
Syunik province.
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