The Proposal is Destructive for the Security of Armenia and Artsakh: Arman Tatyan

Former Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Arman Tatyan's statement:

“Dear compatriots, the Government's proposal to ‘mirror withdraw our forces’ is destructive for the security of Armenia and Artsakh. The objective evidence is the recent illegal actions and incursions by Azerbaijan in Artsakh (Parukh, Kharamort, Karaghlukh), which are the result of the idea presented by the Government of ‘mirroring the withdrawal of forces’.

This idea was scandalously brought into the public domain, promoted, and became part of a Azerbaijan-friendly agenda. The possibilities of removing Azerbaijani armed personnel from near our villages and roads between communities are systematically being diminished, cutting security from people and their rights, and placing everything under a military-political roof.

The situation has worsened and continues to deteriorate due to senior officials of the Republic of Armenia who, with their irresponsible, politically motivated statements, have provided the Azerbaijani authorities with grounds to strengthen their troops and have made official statements ceding territorial jurisdiction to Azerbaijan for their own political benefit, disregarding the security, lives, and other rights of the people of Armenia and Artsakh.

In this way, the lives and health of our Armed Forces, Border Troops, and other servicemen have also become vulnerable. After all this, declarations are made stating that removing Azerbaijani armed personnel is an unrealistic task, and international platforms are being dragged into this. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani armed forces continue their criminal acts in an atmosphere of impunity, from firing on our villages to the illegal seizure of lands and houses, purposefully turning life into unlivable conditions for people.

The state-sponsored hatred towards Armenians has not diminished. The Government itself avoids providing explanations to the public: how much further and to what extent will our troops withdraw, what is meant by ‘forces,’ who will depend on for the security of border villages, on what principles will monitoring be carried out in border communities or whether it will be carried out at all, and so on.

Does the ‘mirror withdrawal’ only refer to Azerbaijani incursions in Gegharkunik, Syunik, or to other settlements as well? If it only relates to incursions, then what solutions will be provided for people’s security, property, and other rights in other areas, and so forth? This is an condemnable behavior of the Government.

Moreover, uncertainty prevails not only in Armenia, Artsakh, and the Diaspora, but also in the international arena. Therefore, the ‘mirror withdrawal of forces’ is merely a political idea, lacking professional foundations and, in its current state, represents a real threat to our Homeland, to the security and vital rights of each and every one of us.”