Human Rights Defender on the Presence of Azerbaijani Soldiers in the Area of Lake Sevan

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, wrote on his Facebook page that the illegal presence of Azerbaijani soldiers in the area of Lake Sevan grossly violates the rights of residents living along the Armenian border and underscores the absolute necessity of establishing a security zone around Syunik.

Since this morning, the Human Rights Defender has received reports from residents of border communities in the Syunik region, specifically Goris, Sisian, and Tegh, about Azerbaijani soldiers appearing on Armenian territory, particularly in the area of Lake Sevan and in the region stretching from there towards civilian settlements in the Syunik region.

According to reports, an Azerbaijani soldier was spotted by a shepherd from the village of Verishen in the Goris community while tending to his livestock. The reports indicate that the shepherd’s area is located within a pasture used continuously by residents, situated between Lake Sevan and the civilian settlement of Verishen, with Lake Sevan itself located within Armenian territory.

Witnesses have stated that Azerbaijani soldiers threatened the shepherd with weapons display. Furthermore, both the border residents and community bodies assured the Human Rights Defender that the pastures adjacent to Lake Sevan have been part of Armenian territory since Soviet times. According to assessments by residents and community officials, Azerbaijani soldiers have advanced several kilometers from Lake Sevan towards the civilian settlements and have established themselves in those areas.

Immediately following the alerts, the Defender's office also conducted investigations of media reports and social media posts. Direct contact was established with the Armed Forces of Armenia and the heads of the communities.

The Human Rights Defender's findings today confirm that the areas adjacent to Lake Sevan hold irreplaceable significance for the vital needs of residents in border communities. These areas are used as pastures and serve as sources for drinking and irrigation water supplies for neighboring communities. The water is also utilized for livestock belonging to the communities. Pastures are critical for animal husbandry, which serves as a source of income for families. This pertains to the communities of Tegh, Sisian, Goris, and the surrounding localities like Khndzoresk, Vaghatur, Khuznavor, Verishen, and others.

The Human Rights Defender decisively states that these actions by the Azerbaijani armed forces grossly violate the rights of the residents along the Armenian border and aim to intimidate them. The presence of Azerbaijani soldiers deprives Armenian citizens of their only source of income through animal husbandry and poses a real threat to residents’ access to irrigation and drinking water, as well as their lives and safety.

Furthermore, according to confirmation, Azerbaijani soldiers have positioned themselves in the area between Lake Sevan and civilian settlements. The described actions by Azerbaijani soldiers represent a blatant threat to the Armenian population. As a result of their illegal actions, significant tension has arisen within Armenian society throughout the day, disrupting the mental integrity and tranquility of individuals.

The Human Rights Defender notes that this illegal advancement should be viewed in the context of incidents where Azerbaijani armed personnel have thrown stones at Armenian civilian vehicles on roads connecting communities in Syunik, dragged and assaulted an Armenian shepherd near the village of Aravus, and failed to return livestock to villagers—among other similar incidents. These actions should also be considered in the framework of the ongoing policy of hatred and animosity perpetrated by the Azerbaijani authorities. This harms the peace processes in the region.

The Human Rights Defender will forward this statement to international bodies, noting that the described situation once again confirms the urgent need to establish a security zone around Syunik. The Azerbaijani soldiers and their flags and signs present near the villages of Syunik should be removed. The security zone is an absolute necessity to guarantee the rights, peaceful life, and physical and mental integrity of residents along the border.