We have officials who simply gift the Azerbaijani authorities with their statements - Tatoyan

The Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan stated at a press conference today that issues related to the state borders of the Republic of Armenia are heading in a completely wrong direction, emphasizing that all these issues are encompassed within military and political components while completely ignoring human rights matters.

He noted that one of the crucial questions in determining the state borders of any country is how the rights of the border residents are preserved or guaranteed as a result. “In our case, due to military and political components, the state has put itself in a position of limitations. A dangerous thesis is developing, which is that human rights and security are being opposed to each other. It is true that violations of the rights of citizens living along our borders are committed by Azerbaijani military personnel, but Armenia has the obligation to protect its citizens. And because the issues are considered exclusively from a political and military perspective, the obligations for the protection of human rights are not being fulfilled successfully,” said Tatoyan.

According to the Ombudsman, a well-organized policy must also exist within the state by public authorities. “We have officials who simply deliver gifts to the Azerbaijani authorities by highlighting these violations. On July 5, there was a gunfight in Gegharkunik, which was confirmed by the Armenian Ministry of Defense. One of the media outlets, which I believe was directed, asks the head of the Vardenis administrative district, saying that Azerbaijanis are obstructing the normal life of the villagers. The head of the administrative district states, 'No, what obstruction? The villagers do not even go there.' How can the head of the administrative district say such a thing when I have been there myself, and Azerbaijani military personnel are stationed precisely in the areas where our pastures are, and residents are unable to access those pastures? Now, after this statement, no matter how much I go to international platforms to say that Azerbaijani military personnel are violating our rights, this person's statements will be used to argue, 'What are you talking about?'”