Azerbaijani Advances Have Created Water Accessibility Security Issues, Says Tatoyan

Students awarded the "Aurora" Gratitude Scholarship from the American University of Armenia will undertake internships at the Tatoyan Foundation's Center for Law and Justice. Former Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan announced this on his Facebook page.

“I consider the collaboration with the American University in this format and its attention to humanitarian issues, as well as the connection between theory and practice, to be important. Attention to humanitarian issues is vital in conflict and post-conflict situations,” said Arman Tatoyan, Director of the Center for Law and Justice, during a meeting with the Aurora scholarship recipients.

“During and after the 44-day war, the rights and safety of civilians and border residents affected by armed attacks are at the forefront of our work, particularly the collection of evidence regarding these violations and the protection of their rights, with special attention to journalists, children, women, and the elderly,” he added. “As a result of Azerbaijani incursions into the Armenian territory, water resources have come under their control, which has caused serious issues regarding access to water and the safe use of water rights,” emphasized Tatoyan, also highlighting that humanitarian issues must be brought to the forefront, solutions proposed, and all measures taken so that political interests do not jeopardize rights and safety.

During a workshop organized by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, the Scholae Mundi Armenia charity foundation, and the American University of Armenia, dedicated to former and current students who have received the "Aurora" Gratitude Scholarship over the years, the director presented the foundation's activities. He also noted that students will have the opportunity to complete internships at their chosen organizations, including the Tatoyan Foundation's Center for Law and Justice, and will be involved in the preparation of reports.

It is noted that in order to promote humanitarian values, since 2017, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative has been sponsoring the "Aurora" Gratitude Scholarship in collaboration with Scholae Mundi Armenia, providing opportunities for students from Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Russia, Georgia, Artsakh, and Iran to study at the American University of Armenia, covering tuition fees partially or fully.

The keynote speaker at the workshop was Jamila Afghani, a pioneer in education and rights protection, who is also the founder of the NECDO organization and a recipient of the Aurora Global Humanitarian Award. She has dedicated 25 years of her life to providing educational opportunities for women in Afghanistan.