Unexploded Cluster Munitions in Stepanakert Pose Major Threat to Civilians - Beglaryan

Since September 27, Azerbaijan has been using weapons prohibited by international humanitarian law, particularly cluster munitions, missiles, and bombs, stated Artak Beglaryan, the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh. He noted that while Armenia and Azerbaijan have not signed this international treaty, approximately 150 countries have, and it can be considered part of customary international law.

“The extensive use of cluster munitions has resulted in a significant number of injuries and fatalities, and these present a serious danger to the civilian population, especially since cluster munitions have been densely used in Stepanakert, many of which have not detonated and may pose a great risk to civilians over time. Therefore, I can say that there will be a humanitarian crisis, if not a disaster, in the Republic of Artsakh in the long term,” said Beglaryan.

The Human Rights Defender of Artsakh also added that the use of mercenaries in the conflict is troubling, as it is prohibited and poses serious risks to the population of Artsakh. “The bodies of some servicemen from the Artsakh Armed Forces have come under the control of the Azerbaijani armed forces, and given the egregious crimes committed against Armenian servicemen's bodies in 2016, which included beheading incidents, torture of corpses, and mutilation, there is now a significant danger that similar violations will occur against these bodies as well,” noted Beglaryan.