Residents of Shikahogh, Srashen, and Nerkin Hand Report Gunfire During Agricultural Activities

The visit of the working group led by the Human Rights Defender of Armenia to the villages of Nerkin Hand, Shikahogh, and Srashen on February 16, 2021, highlighted the threats to the lives, property, and other vital rights of residents.

The visit took place with the accompaniment of Kapan community leader Gevorg Porsyan and other competent representatives. During the visit, detailed discussions were held, including private conversations with residents, professional observations, and individual studies of applications and complaints.

As a result of the visit, the Human Rights Defender of Armenia noted that:

1. Armed servicemen of Azerbaijan located near the villages of Kapan are firing shots from small and large caliber firearms. The gunfire is periodic and occurs both during day and night hours, clearly audible in the villages, causing distress, particularly for women and children. The evidence of Azerbaijani gunfire in the villages of Kapan has already been published by the Human Rights Defender.
2. The process of “determining” the borders with Azerbaijan, following the war from September to November 2020, has placed the pasture lands and privately and communally owned arable lands of these villages under the sight of Azerbaijani armed forces, making it impossible to utilize them.
3. During the visit, residents of Shikahogh, Srashen, and Nerkin Hand reported that shots were fired while they were engaged in agricultural activities on their own lands, of course, during daylight hours. In several cases, they were with their children (and grandchildren). Moreover, the Azerbaijani soldiers firing the shots were in such close proximity (less than 1 km) that the plots of Armenian farmers were clearly observable with the naked eye. This means they witness that peaceful residents are carrying out agricultural activities in the fields.
4. These situations pose direct dangers to children. For example, Azerbaijani soldiers are located in very close proximity (less than 1 km) to a functioning school in Nerkin Hand village.
5. These facts have been confirmed by the observations of the Human Rights Defender’s staff, as well as reports from community bodies and residents.
6. The presence of Azerbaijani armed servicemen (including Azerbaijani flags and signs) along the roads leading from Kapan city to Jakatun and other villages of the Kapan community in Syunik province severely disrupts the free movement of peaceful residents, particularly villagers, along that route. According to residents, it appears that the flags or signs are meant to “protect” residents from the Azerbaijani armed servicemen present in those areas.
7. Due to all of this, villagers are even forced to refrain from traveling that road in the evening for essential needs (for example, going to work or to medical facilities) out of safety concerns for themselves and their families.
8. This situation further confirms that the presence of Azerbaijani armed servicemen (as well as flags and signs) in close proximity to Armenian villages or the roads connecting communities grossly violates the property rights of residents, including their ability to earn a livelihood, significantly endangers their lives and health, physical and mental inviolability, and other vital rights that are guaranteed internationally and by the Constitution of Armenia.
9. This also disrupts the security and peaceful life of people, including children.
10. All of this has occurred due to the mechanical approaches applied in the context of Azerbaijani threats of war and force against the Armenian population, an inadmissibly rapid process without professional joint work and without considering the legitimate interests of border residents and their internationally guaranteed rights, and hence the requirements of the rule of law.
11. During the visit of the Human Rights Defender’s staff on February 16, 2021, discussions on issues concerning social support for village residents and the provision of socio-economic rights were also held with the Kapan community leader.
12. Specific discussions were held regarding the compensation process for losses in Nerkin Hand village.
13. Within the framework of the visit, the Kapan community leader and several community officials provided the Human Rights Defender with detailed information regarding social sector issues related to the mentioned villages, their vital conditions, and security matters.
14. As a result of the visit, summarization work is underway in the staff of the Human Rights Defender, and the proposals will be presented to state authorities, with clarifications requested as necessary.