Azerbaijani Soldiers Threatened, Hit, and Insulted a Shepherd in Aravus: Ombudsman's Statement

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia emphasizes that the actions carried out by Azerbaijani soldiers constitute a criminal assault on the border population of Armenia. This was stated by the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan.

In the statement, it is particularly noted: 'The criminal assault of pulling and hitting the shepherd of Aravus by Azerbaijani soldiers confirms the urgent need for a security zone around Syunik.'

Immediately after this information, the Human Rights Defender initiated fact-finding activities with the involvement of the Syunik division of the Defender's office.

The shepherd who reported the incident to the Human Rights Defender's office informed that on April 18, 2021, he was grazing 14 large and small livestock approximately 500 meters from his home. Around 5-6 PM, when the shepherd was about 50 meters away from the Azerbaijani occupied position, three armed Azerbaijani servicemen approached him.

According to the shepherd, the Azerbaijani soldiers first threatened him by showing their weapons and then two of them pulled him and attempted to forcibly move him towards the Azerbaijani occupied position — towards the trench. Throughout this time, the Azerbaijani soldiers continuously insulted and threatened the shepherd.

Later, when they saw that Armenian Armed Forces personnel were rushing to help the shepherd, the third Azerbaijani soldier hit the shepherd in the eye, causing a bruise, and immediately left towards their occupied position.

During the fact-finding activities by the Human Rights Defender's office, it was also revealed that the Azerbaijani soldiers verbally insulted the same shepherd in the specified area on April 20, around 7 PM, and made threats by openly displaying firearms.

The Human Rights Defender's office also recorded the report from the head of the Aravus village regarding the incident in the media.

Family members of the shepherd, as well as other villagers who rushed to assist him, informed the Human Rights Defender's office that they too heard the shouts of the Azerbaijani soldiers, including the fact that the Azerbaijanis moved from their occupied position towards the shepherd.

The head of Aravus village told the Human Rights Defender's office that several houses of the village residents are located less than 500 meters from Azerbaijani positions (for example, 100 or 200 meters). This fact has also been documented by the studies conducted by the Human Rights Defender's office in that area.

The Human Rights Defender emphasizes that the actions of the Azerbaijani soldiers constitute a criminal assault on the border population of Armenia. What has occurred clearly confirms gross violations of the rights of Armenian citizens guaranteed by the Constitution and international law. This concerns people's right to life, physical and mental inviolability, property, and other vital rights, with the right to life being at real risk of violation.

These incidents clearly justify the Human Rights Defender's recommendation that an urgent security zone should be established around Syunik to guarantee the rights of Armenian citizens. There should be no Azerbaijani military personnel, signs, and flags near the villages of Syunik province and the roads connecting the communities.

Information about this incident will be separately sent by the Human Rights Defender to relevant international organizations and will also be included in the security zone concept.