Azerbaijani Soldiers Demanded Armenian Shepherds to Leave Area with Display of Weapons: Human Rights Defender of Armenia

Several shepherds have informed the Defender that on May 12 and 13, while grazing their animals, they noticed Azerbaijani soldiers who, with a display of weapons, unlawfully threatened them, demanding they immediately leave the grazing areas. This was reported in the announcement by the Human Rights Defender of Armenia.

“Results of fact-finding activities in Verin Shorja and nearby pastures were discussed during a visit led by Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan, accompanied by Gegharkunik Governor Gnel Sanosyan and Vardenis community leader Aram Melkonyan to the village of Verin Shorja and adjacent pastures (high-altitude pastures), where Azerbaijani soldiers have illegally approached, citing blatantly false maps, towards the territory of Armenia, in the direction of civilian residential areas,” said the statement.

The Human Rights Defender held discussions with people engaged in livestock farming in the area. Several shepherds informed the Defender that on May 12 and 13, while grazing their animals, they noticed Azerbaijani soldiers who threatened them with weapons, demanding they leave the grazing areas immediately.

During the fact-finding activities, the Human Rights Defender recorded that the people currently cannot utilize the pastures due to the direct presence of Azerbaijani soldiers in those areas. It is also impossible to use those pastures that are under the direct fire of Azerbaijani soldiers.

The pastures are allocated to people with the legal permission of Armenia's competent authorities. Locals have reported that the presence of Azerbaijani armed forces nearby poses a threat to their lives and safety, disrupting their peace of mind.

Some have been unable to access the pastures and engage in livestock farming, which is a source of income for their families. They are unable to keep large and small livestock in high-altitude barns, provide them with water, or graze them, and the accessibility of water resources for irrigation purposes is endangered.

The President of the Armenian Water Committee was also present at the fact-finding work, confirming that samples are taken twice a day and that currently, there have been no issues with the water composition.

The results of the fact-finding work will be summarized and sent to international organizations. During the visit, important cooperation issues were discussed with the Governor of Gegharkunik, the community leader of Vardenis, as well as the head of the Water Committee regarding the protection of the rights of residents along the Armenian borders.