This is not a normal process. Arman Tatoyan

Residents of Kiran, Voskepar, and other villages are fighting for their safety and lives, as well as the rights of their children. This was stated by the former Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan on his Facebook page, referring to the residents of Tavush’s border villages who are combating border demarcation and territorial concessions.

“This struggle is for people to live securely in their ancestral homes and earn a dignified income for their families, so they are not deprived of decent living conditions, starting with access to drinking water. These problems are not illusions. They are entirely real and will arise due to the proximity of Azerbaijani armed personnel to the villages. Unfortunately, we have evidence of such situations in Syunik, Vayots Dzor, and Gegharkunik,” he stated.

The fight for their rights is absolutely justified, especially because the Armenian government and various officials in power have continuously misled people since November 2020, hiding the impending issues, which have now led the situation to this critical point—all for the sake of their own positions, political interests, and to cover up their own mistakes.

It is absolutely unacceptable, especially to use violence against women and children. The Holy Fathers of the Armenian Church—leaders of the Tavush, Gugark, and Shirak dioceses, along with other clergy—stand with the people, as that is in line with the essence of their spiritual mission.

Ultimately, this is not a normal process; it is part of the struggle for the existential rights and dignity of the entire Armenian people. Not to mention the emotional turmoil that people are forced to endure,” Tatoyan emphasized.