Azerbaijani Soldiers Who Opened Fire Are Less Than 1 Kilometer Away: Human Rights Defender

Azerbaijani soldiers firing toward the villages of Shikahogh, Srashen, and Nerkhin Hand are located in such close proximity (even less than 1 km away) that Armenian villagers can observe their agricultural land with the naked eye. This means they can clearly see that peaceful residents are engaged in agricultural work on their lands. This was reported by the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, summarizing his visit to the city of Kapan in the Syunik region and the villages of Nerkhin Hand, Shikahogh, and Srashen.

The HRD highlighted seven important points from the visit. “The Azerbaijani armed personnel located in immediate proximity to the villages of Kapan fire shots from both small and large caliber weapons. The gunfire is periodic and occurs during both daytime and nighttime, being clearly audible in the villages and causing anxiety, especially among women and children,” stated the message released by the HRD.

In addition, due to the “demarcation” process of the Armenian-Azerbaijani borders following the war of September-November 2020, the pastures and both private and community-owned agricultural lands of Kapan's villages have come under the targeting of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. This has made it impossible for residents to utilize pastures and farmlands.

During the visit, residents of Shikahogh, Srashen, and Nerkhin Hand reported to Tatoyan that shots had been fired while they were engaged in agricultural work, and in several cases, they were with their children (as well as grandchildren) at the time. The HRD warns that this situation directly jeopardizes the safety of children. Furthermore, Azerbaijani soldiers are located in close proximity to the operational school in the village of Nerkhin Hand, at a distance of less than 1 km.

Tatoyan also noted that the presence of Azerbaijani armed personnel (including Azerbaijani flags and signs) along the road leading from Kapan to Jakhaten and the villages of Kapan in the Syunik region severely disrupts the free movement of peaceful residents, primarily farmers, along that route. As a result of all this, villagers are compelled to refrain from using this road during the evening hours, even for essential needs (for example, going to work or a medical facility).

“What has been described once again confirms that the presence of Azerbaijani armed personnel (including flags and signs) or their movement grossly violates residents' rights to property. It also disrupts the safety and peaceful life of people, including children. This has all taken place under the pressure of war and forceful threats from Azerbaijan against the Armenian population, as a result of a mechanically rapid process that is unacceptable,” noted the HRD.

Moreover, Tatoyan reported that during his visit to Kapan, issues concerning social support for the residents of the villages and the safeguarding of their socio-economic rights were also discussed. In light of the visit, the HRD's office is currently conducting summarization work, and its proposals will be presented to the relevant state authorities.

It is worth recalling that as a result of the war unleashed on September 27, 2020, several regions of Artsakh came under Azerbaijani control. Following this, the process for clarifying the borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan began, leading to various issues arising in the border settlements of Syunik.

The Armenians and Azerbaijanis are just 2-3 meters apart. Jakhaten has been deprived of its communications tower. The situation has particularly worsened due to a segment of the Kapan-Goris highway, as well as several villages including Jakhaten, David Bek, Vorotan, Shurnukh, and Nerkhin Khndzoresk.