Azerbaijan Intentionally Disrupts Mobile and Internet Access in Artsakh, Says Human Rights Defender

The Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Artsakh, Gegham Stepanyan, stated on his Facebook page: “The Human Rights Defender’s office had already raised alarms about Azerbaijan's disruption of telecommunications in the entire territory of the Republic of Artsakh, particularly regarding mobile communication and internet access, back in August of this year.

Following discussions with the relevant authorities in Artsakh and companies providing services in this sector, the issue was also presented to the Russian peacekeeping forces leadership in Artsakh, and it seemed that with their intervention, the problem of disruptions was resolved. However, since the visit of the President of Azerbaijan to the occupied city of Shushi in the Republic of Artsakh on November 9, 2021, the problem has arisen again, and for about a month now, communication means in Artsakh have been experiencing serious disruptions.

This issue is particularly acute in communities that are situated near the contact line due to the Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression in 2020 and the occupation of Artsakh’s territories. In some communities, communications are completely absent.

There is no doubt that mobile communication and internet access in the territory of Artsakh are being deliberately disrupted by Azerbaijan through the frequencies and technical means used by telecommunications companies. Azerbaijan uses any method to violate the rights of the population of Artsakh and cause inconveniences. Specifically, the actions of the Azerbaijani side create obstacles to the right of the people of Artsakh to freely use telephone communication and other forms of communication and their right to be informed.

I again call the attention of the relevant authorities and the Russian peacekeeping forces to this issue, which is important not only from the standpoint of human rights protection but clearly holds a humanitarian nature as well.”