The Real Solution to Ending Violations is the Withdrawal of Azerbaijani Armed Forces from Our Villages and Roads, Says Armenian Human Rights Defender

Today, I met in Strasbourg with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Maria Peichinovich Burich. This was stated on the Facebook page of Armenia's Human Rights Defender, Arman Tatoyan.

“During the meeting, I presented examples demonstrating that immediately after the war, Azerbaijani armed forces commit acts that grossly violate the rights of the Armenian population, starting from the moment they appeared near the villages of Syunik and Gegharkunik regions and on the roads between the communities of Syunik. These include gunfire, setting fire to pastures, and more. I specifically pointed out the blockade of roads in Syunik, stating that alternative routes are not a solution, as the safety of people is not ensured. The roads, as well as civilian inhabitants and their homes, are under the targeting of Azerbaijani armed forces,” Tatoyan noted.

“I emphasized that the real solution to the cessation of violations is completely different: it is the withdrawal of Azerbaijani armed forces from our villages and roads. There should be a demilitarized [security] zone, which has already been included in the resolution of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly dated September 27, 2021, based on the proposal of the Armenian Human Rights Defender. I explained that this does not mean that we will immediately decide whose territory is which; this will be determined later, at least as a result of the parallel commencement of delimitation and demarcation. However, everything should be done to restore the normal lives and safety of people,” he added.

“During the meeting, I separately noted that it is a problem that international organizations do not visit Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). It turns out that there is a place in the territory of the Council of Europe that is completely inaccessible, which contradicts the very resolutions of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. I elaborated on the urgent need for the release of Armenian prisoners of war who are unlawfully held in Azerbaijan and their return to the Homeland,” emphasized Tatoyan.

He thanked the Secretary General of the Council of Europe for the statements and calls to halt armed attacks at the beginning and after the war, as well as for her personal efforts. Maria Peichinovich Burich highly praised the work of Armenia's Human Rights Defender in a difficult and crisis situation.

The Secretary General specifically highlighted the important role of the Armenian Human Rights Defender in the protection of human rights in the country. She emphasized the practice of sending positions regarding the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. I also valued this practice and noted that we do this in cooperation with NGOs as well,” Tatoyan stated.

“The meeting also discussed issues related to human rights in the armed forces, the protection of women's rights, the prevention of torture, and several other matters. At the end of the meeting, I provided the Secretary General with my urgent reports related to the aforementioned topics,” concluded Tatoyan.