Kapan Mayor: Arman Tatoyan's Proposal for a Demilitarized Zone is an Ideal Approach

The Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan stated during a press conference yesterday the necessity of establishing a demilitarized zone in Syunik. This demilitarized zone would guarantee the safety of Syunik's residents and the protection of all their rights, which are currently being wholly violated in the context of the situation created after the Second Karabakh War and new realities of border demarcation.

In an interview with ArmDaily.am, Kapan Mayor Gevorg Parsyan mentioned that Arman Tatoyan is absolutely right, and if a demilitarized zone is established, they will be able to exercise and protect all essential human rights. “As of today, this new military situation poses many problems. Firstly, it has created an atmosphere of anxiety for our community's residents regarding cultivating lands, livestock breeding, and so on. Additionally, we have many industrial areas, particularly regarding the organization of people's employment. Our industrial street is adjacent to the airport, and we have numerous organizations there, employing about 2000-3000 people who are under direct enemy fire,” said Parsyan. “It is vital that a demilitarized zone is secured in that area to ensure a proper working environment.”

The Kapan mayor noted that a demilitarized zone implies the placement of enemy soldiers farther away, meaning armed groups should be positioned kilometers away from the border. “I must emphasize that Arman Tatoyan's expressed idea is an ideal approach to resolving the issue. In any case, I expect the government to pay serious attention to Mr. Tatoyan's statements and proposals and to begin organizing work in this direction with the diplomatic corps,” added Gevorg Parsyan. He stressed that the creation of a demilitarized zone requires persistent work from the diplomatic corps.