Azerbaijani Authorities Constantly Provoked Tensions in Unsuitable Situations During the 1920s: Human Rights Defender

During the 1920s, Azerbaijani authorities consistently provoked tensions in areas where they faced unfavorable situations, violating the rights of residents along the borders of Soviet Armenia and creating obstacles for border commissions. This was stated by the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, on his Facebook page.

According to Tatoyan, the Azerbaijani authorities often incited tensions, leading to violations of the rights of border inhabitants of Soviet Armenia and complicating the work of boundary commissions. For instance, following the decision of the Central Executive Committee of the Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic on February 18, 1929, the work of the commission to delineate the administrative boundaries between Azerbaijan's former Jabrail and Armenia's Zangezur and Meghri provinces was once again initiated on June 27.

Immediately upon commencement, the operations were continually obstructed by representatives from the Qubatlu forestry and the Zangezour regional executive committee, despite even criminal liabilities being established. An attack occurred against a surveyor who was placing boundary markers, and resistance was organized, resulting in a halt of these works on August 12.

Furthermore, Aziz Kuliyev, a representative of the Qubatlu forestry, encouraged the local Muslim population to send petitions to Tbilisi, while Basim Khalilov from the Zangezour executive committee threatened non-Christian villagers aiding the border demarcation work, accusing them of 'taking bribes from Armenians.'

At that time, Azerbaijani bodies continuously incited hatred and animosity among civilian populations, widely utilizing ethnic principles. Lessons must be learned for the present and violations of the rights of border inhabitants of Armenia must not be allowed,” wrote Tatoyan.