BBC's Azerbaijani Service Comments on Armenia's Ombudsman's Statement

Arman Tatoyan, the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, has stated that international Azerbaijani-language media outlets have begun addressing the statements made by the Armenian Ombudsman regarding the violations of residents' rights due to processes related to borders in Syunik. This also pertains to the unacceptability of the presence of Azerbaijani armed forces, signs, and flags in Syunik.

In response to the Armenian Ombudsman's statement, BBC's Azerbaijani service has issued its own commentary, claiming that Azerbaijani authorities have not responded to these "accusations." This attempt was made to assert that the Ombudsman's statements regarding the violation or threat to the rights of border residents in the Syunik Province due to the border processes are baseless.

Link to the BBC article

The Armenian Ombudsman reaffirms that the ongoing processes related to the borders with Azerbaijan in the provinces of Syunik and Gegharkunik do not align with the rule of law and contradict the foundations of international law, as evidenced by gross violations or serious threats to the rights of residents of border villages in these areas.

The main logic remains that the border determination process cannot disrupt the normal living conditions of the residents of border settlements and cannot violate their rights. The issue concerns not only people's rights to their homes and lands but also to water resources, essential means of communication, and more. Potential damages that individuals or businesspersons may suffer must also be calculated, and all of this should become a subject of international negotiations and discussions.

Conditions that disrupt a person's normal life in their permanent residence cannot be imposed solely because their rights have not been considered due to some process related to borders.