Arman Tatoyan Presents the Border Situation

The Human Rights Defender, Arman Tatoyan, has made a Facebook post outlining the ongoing border situation. He stated, "Due to the criminal acts of the Azerbaijani armed forces, residents of the villages of Kut, Jaghatsadzor, Geghamabak, and Norabak in the Gegharkunik Province, as well as workers from the Sotk mine, have had their rights violated. The residents have been deprived of pastures, hayfields, and arable lands.

For example, in the village of Kut, Azerbaijani armed forces are physically present in an area of at least 500 hectares of pasture, 500 hectares of hayfield, and 20 hectares of arable land. In Norabak village, they occupy at least 1,000 hectares of pasture, 200 hectares of hayfield, and 25 hectares of arable land. Furthermore, the lands directly opposite these areas are also unusable as they are under Azerbaijani fire control, with soldiers shooting at anyone who approaches.

Residents of Jaghatsadzor, Geghamabak, and Norabak villages have been denied access to drinking and irrigation water. The issue arises as Azerbaijani armed forces are present near water basins and streams from which drinking and irrigation water is sourced.

In Kut village, on June 5, a theft of 80 large cattle belonging to residents was reported, which have not been returned, and 4 animals were killed. These animals belonged to 5 families.

Due to the ongoing gunfire, the rights of the workers at the Sotk mine are regularly violated, causing damage to the company's entrepreneurial activities. All of this indicates that, aside from security issues, severe social problems have been created for the people. The peaceful and normal life of the residents has been completely disrupted.

The Azerbaijani gunfire is being countered by preventive shots from the Armenian Armed Forces, aimed at protecting the lives and health of the people. The Azerbaijani authorities are directly responsible for the damages caused to our border residents through actions prohibited by international law, the killing of military personnel protecting civilian populations, and the violation of the right to life and health.

The results of this visit will be presented to international organizations (UN, EU, Council of Europe, etc.) as well as to the relevant state bodies of Armenia.

Arman Tatoyan
Human Rights Defender of Armenia