Human Rights Defender Visits Tegh Community

Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan made her first official visit today, April 14, to the Tegh community in the Syunik region. The purpose of the visit was to conduct fact-finding work on human rights violations following incidents where Azerbaijani armed forces approached and provoked Armenian servicemen under the pretext of clarifying border deployment points, leading to firearm usage and other types of gunfire.

During the visit, the Human Rights Defender discussed the situation with Syunik Governor Robert Ghukasyan, Tegh community leader David Ghulunts, and local residents. Residents expressed concerns regarding their lives and safety, their physical and mental integrity, property rights, education, and other fundamental rights. They emphasized the issues related to the use of pastures and the need to sustain their families through livestock farming.

The Human Rights Defender specifically highlighted that the use of force and threats by Azerbaijani servicemen aims to intimidate the people of the border communities. The gathered evidence related to the situation created by the Azerbaijani actions in April indicates that the residents' right to property is being violated, their life, physical and mental integrity is endangered, their children's right to education is compromised, and they are deprived of the opportunity to engage in agriculture and livestock farming.

As mentioned above, as well as other evidence collected, will be summarized in the Human Rights Defender's office. These findings will be presented to relevant international organizations and other stakeholders, as well as to state competent authorities.