Kirowan Pastures, Orchards, and Other Lands to Be Transferred to Azerbaijan, Village Encircled by Azerbaijani Forces: Report

The Center for Law and Justice, the Tatoyan Foundation, has published a report on the theme of "Fact-Finding Work in Armenia's Tavush Province."

"The facts related to the communities and roads in the Tavush region of Armenia are included in the report. These facts further confirm that the so-called delimitation or demarcation process announced by the Government seriously violates the rights and security of people in the long term, particularly contradicting the internationally established nature," writes Arman Tatoyan.

Studies have been conducted in the regions of the Tavush Province, including the villages and roads of Azatamut, Kayaran, Aygehovit, Berkaberd, Sevkar, Kirants, Acharqut, Voskepar, and Baghanis.

"In the section concerning Kirants village, as a result of the border solutions announced by the government, a bridge located immediately adjacent to the Kirants village along the M-4 Ijevan-Armenia state border interstate highway will be transferred to Azerbaijan, along with approximately 600 meters of roadway. Aside from endangering the further exploitation of the interstate highway, the residential houses in Kirants will find themselves right in the contact zone. Even in non-armed visible conditions, people's homes will be under the target of Azerbaijani armed forces. The pastures, orchards, and other lands of Kirants will also be transferred to Azerbaijan, while the village will be almost entirely encircled by Azerbaijani troops, resembling a narrow peninsula.

This section will also fall under the observation or targeting of Azerbaijani armed forces for Acharqut village, as well as the road leading to the village, its orchards, and so on.

Furthermore, the segment of the interstate road from Kirants to Voskepar village crosses disputed borders at four points before reaching the village. This means that these sections will pass under Azerbaijani control.

The issue in Voskepar will not be limited only to the currently functioning road. Strategic and vital gas pipelines for Armenia, internet communication cables, and more pass through this segment. The sources of drinking and irrigation water will also fall under Azerbaijani control.

In this geographically complex mountainous area, Voskepar village serves as a bridge connecting the Ijevan community to Noyemberyan. The Voskepar village is almost bordered on three sides and thus will be blockaded. In some sections of the village, even residential houses and parts of homes would be passing into Azerbaijani-controlled territory along disputed lines or outside the border.

The border changes in Voskepar will pose a serious threat to the population of the entire region in Armenia. The interstate road itself will be endangered altogether," the report states.