Human Rights Defender on Resumed Clashes Between Armenian and Azerbaijani Soldiers Near Hadrut's Togh Village

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, stated on his Facebook page:

1. Last night, Azerbaijani media reported that armed clashes had resumed between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers near the village of Togh in Hadrut (referred to by Azerbaijan as "Aghdam (Hakaku) village of Khojavend district"). Azerbaijani sources also reported casualties and injuries. Subsequently, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense made a similar announcement.
2. Immediately after the publication of this news, I officially inquired with the Ministry of Defense of Armenia and the Defense Army of Artsakh. Both agencies categorically denied the circulated information, assuring that the ceasefire regime is being strictly maintained, no unit has participated in any operations in that area, and that no extraordinary incidents have been recorded concerning the Defense Army's units. Following this, public statements from the Ministry of Defense and the Defense Army were published on December 28 regarding these same issues.
3. Furthermore, the staff of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia noted that on December 28, around 12:45 p.m., the Iranian “MiranPress” Telegram channel reported, citing its sources, that clashes had occurred in the Hadrut region not between the armed forces of Artsakh and Azerbaijan, but rather that Azerbaijani servicemen had fired upon each other, resulting in three casualties.
4. As the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, I specifically note that a crucial humanitarian process related to the protection of human rights is currently underway, particularly regarding the return of prisoners and the exchange of the bodies of the deceased.
5. I specifically warn that any provocation leading to armed clashes or any statements regarding such issues in the post-war period cannot disrupt the processes of returning prisoners and exchanging the bodies of the deceased.
6. I remind that as a baseline fact, the provisions of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, concerning the complete ceasefire and the cessation of all military operations, have been committed by the parties to uphold and that no governing body has disputed this.
7. Therefore, no factor, including any information published by Azerbaijani sources regarding armed clashes that does not correspond to reality or any provocation of armed clashes, can serve as a reason for disrupting or halting this crucial humanitarian process, particularly regarding the return of prisoners and the exchange of the bodies of the deceased.
8. Thus, I call upon the international community and especially international organizations with a mandate for human rights protection to pay attention to the existing situation to ensure the continuity and acceleration of such humanitarian missions and to exclude any obstacles to their normal course.
9. This statement, signed by me, will be sent to international bodies on an addressed basis, with each recipient receiving a distinct signature.
10. In the post-war phase, issues related to the protection of human rights and humanitarian law will continue to remain under the direct attention of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia.