All Armenian Soldiers and Civilians Are Prisoners of War: Human Rights Defender to European Council Representative

The Human Rights Defender presented to the Chairman of the Security and Defense Subcommittee of the European Parliament the facts of violations of the rights of the population at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border by the Azerbaijani armed forces.

Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan welcomed French Member of the European Parliament, Chair of the Security and Defense Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Head of the ‘La Republique en Marche’ delegation in the European Parliament, Nathalie Loiseau.

Tatoyan presented evidence of violations of the rights of the Armenian border residents by the Azerbaijani armed forces. In particular, he provided evidence that Azerbaijani military personnel, flags, and signs should not be present along the roads between the communities of Syunik and Gegharkunik.

The Defender noted that Azerbaijani soldiers regularly create obstacles to harvesting and haymaking, engage in theft of livestock, issue threats to residents, and more. These criminal acts of Azerbaijani military personnel are aimed at depriving the Armenian civilian population of life, property, and other vital rights, as well as the opportunity to engage in animal husbandry and earn income for their families.

During the meeting, the Human Rights Defender emphasized the urgency of the return of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, stating that labeling them as