Video Evidence of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Fortifications Near Gegharkunik Villages: RA Human Rights Defender

In response to the denial from the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, the Human Rights Defender of Armenia publishes evidence regarding the fortification of Azerbaijani armed forces near the villages of Gegharkunik.

The Ministry of Defense denied the statement made by the Human Rights Defender on October 18, asserting that Azerbaijani armed forces unlawfully invaded Gegharkunik region and are actively fortifying positions, including road construction, and stockpiling firewood and other materials near Armenian villages.

Following this, a campaign aimed at discrediting the Human Rights Defender's activities has commenced, which has also involved the Secretary of the Security Council.

The reason behind the Human Rights Defender's statement on October 18 was to highlight the severe violation of the rights of the civilian population in Armenia, such as their right to life, security, and property, with instances of civilian shelling and people being unable to utilize their land.

The Human Rights Defender continues to receive numerous reports and complaints from citizens. Every statement made by the Human Rights Defender is based on verified data obtained through systematic monitoring and analysis of reports over the past months.

The aim of the October 18 statement was to show the illegal actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces and their direct connection to violations of the rights of the civilian population. The concern is that such actions precede further malevolent, including terrorist, acts against both civilians and soldiers who are protecting these civilians' rights to a safe and peaceful life.

Notably, the statements made were based on facts that the staff of the Human Rights Defender has consistently collected through daily monitoring and analysis of reports over recent months. Therefore, officials from the Ministry of Defense who decided to question the results of the Human Rights Defender's findings on October 19 should remember that the Defender never issues statements that are exaggerated or, worse, inaccurate.

If the Human Rights Defender makes a public statement, it is because there is reliable evidence – not just one, but several pieces of evidence. Thus, officials from the Ministry are urged to refrain from making such shortsighted statements in responding to the Human Rights Defender's claims.

Moreover, instead of refuting the precise statement of the Human Rights Defender on October 18, aimed at alleviating political discontent, the aforementioned officials from the Ministry of Defense should recognize that they are not only denying a precisely fact-based statement aimed at human rights protection, but are especially generating an Azerbaijani agenda on international platforms against both this statement and the credibility of the Defender's work altogether.

Indeed, the denial from the Ministry of Defense on October 19 has been utilized by Azerbaijani local and foreign media, claiming that the Armenian Ministry of Defense officially confirms that the reports or claims made by the Human Rights Defender regarding the rights of border residents are false, and various entities have demanded that the Defender's reports and statements no longer be accepted as a basis.

Consequently, the Human Rights Defender finds it necessary to publicly clarify to the officials from the Ministry of Defense that their reports and statements are compiled and published based on specific principles, taking into account the possibilities for the protection of human rights in international instances, that every word from the Human Rights Defender has its value, and that they are precisely designed to protect the rights of soldiers and support the Armed Forces and the country.

It should be noted that the Defender’s reports and statements are made, even if they may provoke political discontent, but conversely, they become valuable sources for the protection of citizens' rights in Armenia, utilized in international platforms, such as the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, among others.

The Defender's reports and statements are always grounded in primary sources, not mediated or distorted data. They are invaluable as they arise from independent work results.

Ultimately, even during the entire period post-war, the Ministry of Defense could have supported the Human Rights Defender's proposition to create a security zone around the Armenian-Azerbaijani borders, which is increasingly gaining traction on international platforms. After all, this is aimed at protecting the rights and lives of the civilian population and soldiers from Azerbaijani criminal actions.

The Human Rights Defender has always supported the Armed Forces through both his public and non-public activities and will continue to operate based on the same principles. At no point has it been allowed to diminish the role of the Armed Forces, one of the highest values of our statehood, always presenting its positive aspects in various forums.

Throughout this activity, cooperative interactions have always been ensured according to the principle of not causing harm, and mutual expectations in this regard remain the same. Furthermore, the statement made by the Human Rights Defender on October 18 only addressed the criminal activities of the Azerbaijanis and did not make any reference to the soldiers selflessly serving in the Armenian positions.

We suggest the newly appointed governor of Gegharkunik to thoroughly study the principles of the Human Rights Defender's activities, the outcomes of his work, and the prevailing situation on the ground and to refrain from questioning the Defender's statements or reports based on unverified data.

We hope that at least at a minimal level, the high-quality cooperation established during the tenure of the previous governor will be maintained, ensuring positive outcomes in the protection of human rights.

With this statement, I publish just a few reliable pieces of evidence in the form of a short video confirming the unlawful incursions of Azerbaijani forces into the sovereign territory of Armenia in Gegharkunik region, as well as their fortification activities near Armenian villages.

Arman Tatoyan
Human Rights Defender of Armenia