Village Life in Paralysis: Artsakh Human Rights Defender Reports from Khramort

In the community of Khramort in the Askeran region, the threats and calls directed at the Armenian population by Azerbaijanis using loudspeakers have a clear intention to intimidate the residents, stated Artsakh's Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan.

"The threats and appeals directed at the Armenian population using loudspeakers by Azerbaijanis in the community of Khramort are aimed directly at terrorizing the residents. For the third consecutive day, Azerbaijani forces stationed 500 meters away from the residential area of the community have been sending 'calls' to the peaceful inhabitants of the village under the threat of the USE OF FORCE, urging them to leave the village, with the following content:

‘You are located in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Any activity conducted here is regulated by Azerbaijani laws. Everything you do without official permission is illegal. Currently, the agricultural work you are doing is illegal. Do not prepare for war and do not try to establish borders in our territory. If you wish to stay and live here, comply with Azerbaijani laws. Considering your safety, we demand that you stop your activities and vacate the area immediately; otherwise, FORCE WILL BE APPLIED against you, and you will be responsible for any losses. Do not jeopardize your life and that of your family members. Leave the area, leave the area.’

In order to gather facts, this morning, the Human Rights Defender and representatives of his office visited the Khramort community. The gathered facts indicate that the latest actions by Azerbaijan to terrorize the village's residents are carried out with direct coordination from the Azerbaijani leadership and are specially planned. These actions are directed against the psychological integrity of the people of Artsakh, as evidenced by the fact that these so-called 'calls and appeals' are recorded and distributed on social networks through channels that promote Azerbaijani propaganda during and after the 44-day war.

It is clear from the content of the calls that the Azerbaijani side is threatening the peaceful residents of the Khramort community with the USE OF FORCE, aiming to deprive them of their homeland and their right to live peacefully and securely, as well as to carry on their normal lives with dignity. Among the more than 300 peaceful residents of the community, there are over 80 preschool and school-age children, elderly individuals, and other vulnerable groups.

Village life is paralyzed; people have largely ceased agricultural work, which is the main source of livelihood for the peaceful residents. This is a consequence of leaving Azerbaijan unpunished for its criminal acts and creating a permissive environment, under which the Azerbaijani side is employing new methods and means to advance its hateful and terroristic policies.

To ensure the safety of the residents, as well as their physical and psychological integrity, it is critically necessary to implement additional security measures by both the security bodies of Artsakh and the representatives of the Russian peacekeeping forces. In particular, the permanent presence of a group composed of Russian peacekeeping forces in the community area could enhance the residents' sense of security and promote the provision of a normal life for the peaceful population in the community.