Artsakh Ombudsman Publishes Emergency Report on Violations of Children's Rights

The Ombudsman of Artsakh has published an emergency report regarding violations of children's rights caused by Azerbaijan's aggression against the Republic of Artsakh. The report details the recorded violations of children's rights from September 27 to November 9 during the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against the people of Artsakh, including violations of the rights to life, health, family and community belonging, personal development and protection, among several others.

"From the first day of the aggression, the Azerbaijani armed forces have deliberately and indiscriminately targeted civilian objects, residential buildings, and infrastructure in approximately 170 (about 70%) communities in Artsakh, resulting in civilian casualties, including children, women, and the elderly. According to the Ombudsman, at least 50 civilians have been killed and at least 163 injured due to Azerbaijani aggression, including 1 child killed and 9 injured.

To protect themselves from threats to life and health, children in Artsakh have been displaced along with their families, seeking shelter in basements of residential buildings and other civilian facilities or relocating to safer areas within Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia.

Children's facilities such as schools, cultural centers, kindergartens, etc., have also been subject to deliberate and indiscriminate attacks by Azerbaijan. Preliminary data indicates that at least 71 schools and 14 kindergartens have been damaged due to Azerbaijani aggression, not including schools and kindergartens in communities under the control of the Azerbaijani armed forces, for which little information is available. A total of 23,978 school-age children and 4,036 preschool-age children have been deprived of their right to education.

Alongside the targeting of the civilian population, Azerbaijani social media has been widely flooded with hatred and animosity towards Armenians, including extensive discussions and calls for the killing of Armenian children.

Emphasizing the need to protect children's rights in all circumstances, the Ombudsman of the Republic of Artsakh appeals to all international organizations concerned with human rights, and especially children's rights, to properly document the gross violations of the rights of children in Artsakh and take practical steps to address them," stated the announcement from the Artsakh Ombudsman.