Are Those Small Villages in Tavush Really Needed by Azerbaijan? Arman Tatoyan on Azerbaijan's Intentions and Threats to Armenia

The determination of borders should also serve as a guarantee for human protection. However, if it results in greater risk to human life, then there is no delimitation. This was stated by Armenia's former Human Rights Defender and head of the Tatoyan Foundation Arman Tatoyan in an interview with NEWS.am.

"There is an international process for determining borders. Delimitation and demarcation have clear rules that must be followed for it to be acceptable; this is a widely accepted practice worldwide. It is important that all issues be discussed not based on unilateral threats or the threat of war but through clear discussions between both sides, and an established peace process should be in place. Often, certain maps are referenced, and mechanical approaches are shown regarding this or that map number from some period of the Soviet Union. Beyond that, it is essential to understand what documents we have, as there are many other documents aside from these maps—related to forests, water resources, geodetic and cadastral maps. It is necessary to assess questions related to people's rights, security issues, properties, and overall the current situation of what ordinary life is like for people there and what will happen as a result of this process. If the determination of borders somehow disrupts people's normal lives, then the whole process becomes unacceptable and illegal; from an international perspective, it loses legitimacy, meaning it has no value," Tatoyan noted.

According to Arman Tatoyan, a dangerous process is also occurring in the discussions where human security is not being considered. "In the end, security is for the person; yes, security is for the country, to protect the homeland, but it is also for the person to live fully and securely in their country. The determination of borders should also be a guarantee for human protection, but if it threatens human life more, then there is no delimitation. It turns out that as a result, we bring Azerbaijani armed forces closer to our villages, threatening the possibility for residents to work economically, endangering their lives and health, and putting our villages in the crosshairs," he emphasized.

He stressed that it is impossible to determine borders at the expense of security. "Such a thing does not exist in nature. There are countries that have not had defined borders for decades. This process is so complex. For example, we do not have a delimited border with Georgia, but given the relations and agreements, there are certain decisions and a situation that is maintained. Imagine that we supposedly ensure the delimitation of borders this way, and our citizens encounter problems related to Azerbaijan; for instance, animals go missing, especially in the Syunik Province where Azerbaijani soldiers often come and steal them. Not to mention their gunfire. We need to understand that it is not possible to speak with Azerbaijan through legal mechanisms. If there is an issue and they violate rights against our residents, how can we expect an investigation? It is impossible; they will not investigate it," he added.

Referring to the strategic importance of Tavush for Armenia, Tatoyan stated that the handover of these four settlements would create security issues not just for individual residents but also from a strategic standpoint. He noted that if these areas are handed over, Azerbaijan will find itself in a highly advantageous position over Armenia. "Do those small villages in Tavush really need Azerbaijan? Is Azerbaijan threatening with war for them? Azerbaijan does not need these territories at this price because the villages are so small that it does not need to threaten with war for them. They need them to achieve a strategic target in terms of security over our settlements in Tavush and furthermore disrupt Armenia's security," he concluded.

For more details, refer to the original source.