Importance of Deploying Peacekeeping Posts: Statement by Artsakh Ombudsman

The Ombudsman of the Republic of Artsakh, Gegham Stepanyan, has issued a statement: "On October 14, Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire towards the posts of the Artsakh Defense Army, resulting in six servicemen suffering various degrees of injuries. The condition of two servicemen has been assessed as serious by doctors. I visited the servicemen in the military hospital in Stepanakert and the Republican Medical Center and became acquainted with their situation; after the surgeries performed, their lives are no longer in danger.

On October 15, an ambulance vehicle of the Artsakh Defense Army was also targeted by the Azerbaijani side, resulting in no casualties. It is essential to emphasize that the Azerbaijani side has not only again grossly violated the ceasefire regime but has deliberately targeted a humanitarian object that is under special protection by international law.

The recorded incidents further demonstrate the aggressive and audacious behavior of the Azerbaijani side and their intention to disrupt normal life in Artsakh through the use of force and generally all methods, to ethnically cleanse the Armenian population of Artsakh. It is noteworthy that the Azerbaijani armed forces directly struck the Artsakh Defense Army post located just a few meters away from civilian homes in Norshen. This itself indicates that Armenian servicemen are performing exclusively the function of protecting the rights of the peaceful population's life and health, whereas the Azerbaijani posts located near our civilian communities pose a direct threat to these communities through their presence and aggressive behavior. Their immediate removal is crucial for the protection of the civil population's rights, particularly the right to life.

At the same time, Russian forces and mediators stationed in Artsakh for the mission of maintaining peace should have not only the function of post facto documenting incidents, but also the authority and clear mechanisms to effectively investigate any violations of the ceasefire and prevent their recurrence. The permanent stationing and presence of Russian peacekeeping posts in all border communities of Artsakh is also very important from the perspective of genuine peace maintenance.

Recorded incidents are yet another indication that the Azerbaijani theses around peaceful coexistence are false, lacking real objectives in that regard, and aimed at deceiving the international community and those involved in resolving the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict. Azerbaijani statements regarding peace and coexistence are merely words under which Azerbaijan is pushing its anti-Armenian, genocidal, and fascist agenda.

International organizations and individual states should observe the current situation, the true objectives, and actions of the parties with open eyes, without being misled by Azerbaijani manipulations. Their indifference ultimately undermines the international agenda for the protection of human rights and puts its practical significance at risk, turning it into nothing more than a collection of beautiful phrases without real desire and determination to protect it."