Azerbaijani Gunfire Directed at RA Armed Forces, Intense and Lasting About 30 Minutes: Human Rights Defender

According to the clarified data, Azerbaijani gunfire occurred on July 5 at around 5 PM, directed at the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia (RA). The fire came from various calibers of firearms, was intense, and lasted for approximately 30 minutes. This was reported on the Facebook page of Armenia's Human Rights Defender, Arman Tatoyan.

“The gunfire from Azerbaijani armed forces near Verin Shorja village yesterday proves that their presence adjacent to the border villages of the RA and along the roads is a violation of the right to life of RA residents. Regarding the gunfire that occurred on July 5, 2021, near Verin Shorja village in Gegharkunik province, the Office of the Human Rights Defender has clarified that the shots were fired from positions located in the sovereign territory of the RA.

The Human Rights Defender emphasizes that these areas are pastures of the Vardenis community, where also lie the residences of people—shepherding sites. During the spring, summer, and autumn months, people live in those shepherding sites with their families, including children, engaging in livestock husbandry. Community residents also practice agriculture in those areas.

Due to the Azerbaijani gunfire, the civilian population cannot either use these areas at all or can only do so under significant restrictions. Moreover, the residents of those areas have rights confirmed by legal documents from the authorized bodies of the RA.

According to the clarified data, Azerbaijani gunfire occurred on July 5 at around 5 PM, directed against the RA Armed Forces, came from various calibers of firearms, was intense, and lasted for approximately 30 minutes. The Office of the Human Rights Defender has also established that the shots were clearly audible in the shepherding sites and in Verin Shorja village.

These recurring gunfire incidents by Azerbaijani servicemen near villages in Gegharkunik province pose a real threat to the lives and health of the RA civilian population. Azerbaijani servicemen regularly commit similar acts (shooting, theft of livestock, hindrance to mowing grass, etc.) both near and against the communities in Gegharkunik and Syunik provinces.

The gunfire on July 5, 2021, once again proves that the presence of Azerbaijani armed forces adjacent to villages in the Gegharkunik and Syunik provinces, as well as along the roads connecting communities in Syunik province, is a priority violation of the right to life of RA residents.

These acts are also aimed at depriving RA citizens of their property and other vital rights, including the opportunity to engage in animal husbandry and earn family income. We are talking about rights that are internationally recognized and guaranteed by the Constitution of the RA.

Apart from being a clear security issue for residents of border villages, these acts contribute to the deepening of social problems faced by the residents. The fact of Azerbaijani gunfire has also been confirmed today by an official statement from the RA Ministry of Defense, noting that an RA serviceman received minor injuries as a result of Azerbaijani provoked gunfire. There have also been reports in various media outlets.