Arman Tatoyan Sends Special Report to OSCE Chairperson and Co-Chairs

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, has sent a special report to the OSCE Chairperson and the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, along with an explanatory letter detailing violations of the rights of residents living in border areas of Armenia due to the actions of Azerbaijani armed forces.

“The document provides evidence and specific examples showing that the rights of people living in our country’s border settlements in Gegharkunik and Syunik are violated daily due to the actions of Azerbaijani armed personnel, which are deliberately organized by the Azerbaijani authorities. The security and normal life of these residents have been disrupted (examples from the Yerasikh community in Ararat province are also included).

Thus, restoring the normal life, rights, and security of the people is a top priority. We have also demonstrated the impact of these violations on the rights of the entire population of Armenia,” stated the Human Rights Defender. It is noted that the report analyzes rights violations by categories (for instance, the right to life, the right to freedom of movement, children's rights, etc.).

Tatoyan emphasized that alternative routes in Syunik are not a solution, as they do not ensure the safety of people; Azerbaijani armed forces continue to monitor these routes and the civilian residents and their homes. “Moreover, they are armed and visibly present on the roads, committing gross violations of people's rights in plain sight of the civilians.

I have also substantiated that the source feeding the violations of human rights in border communities is the Azerbaijani authorities’ policy of hatred and animosity, which has not diminished but intensified since the war. Therefore, the conclusion is clear: there should be no Azerbaijani armed personnel near our villages, in many cases near people's homes and roads. This applies to all their placements and not only to the incursions in May.

In other words, there should be a demilitarized security zone. This does not mean that we immediately decide whose area it is. That will be determined later, based on the results of delimitation and demarcation processes that have already started. Simply put, it is urgent now to restore the rights and normal life of people.

It was demonstrated that this idea was already reflected in the resolution of the PACE on September 27, 2021, based on the proposal of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia. My approaches stem directly from the requirements of the OSCE, the UN, and other international bodies and experiences,” emphasized the Human Rights Defender of Armenia.