Arman Tatoyan: Azerbaijan violates the fundamental right of Meghri  residents to water.

ArmInfo. The international community's guaranteed right to water for residents of  Meghri in Syunik region is constantly violated by deliberate actions of the  Azerbaijani Armed Forces. This is stated in the statement of the  Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan.  

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia said that he had received signals from the  residents of Meghri that about 5 years ago the Azerbaijani Armed  Forces changed the course of the Zvaraget River. As a result, it  turned out that in the cities of Meghri and Agarak of the Syunik  region, as well as in the villages of Nrnadzor, Shvanidzor, Alvank,  there are serious problems with drinking water.  The fact is that the  drinking and irrigation water of the settlements of the Meghri  community has always been provided by the Meghri River, the tributary  of which is the mouth of the Zvaraget, which is under the direct  sight of the Azerbaijani army. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces direct  the water flow towards Nakhijevan.

These actions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces grossly violate the  guaranteed right to water, which is vital for the residents of the  Meghri community of Armenia.

The Ombudsman stressed that the right to water is guaranteed  internationally. This right includes the human right to water in an  amount sufficient both for constant drinking and for household use  (irrigation, hygiene, etc.). At the same time, safe access to water  must be ensured. This right is of unique value and underlies other  human rights to life, health, dignity and privacy.

The actions described by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan are a gross  violation of the Convention on Transboundary Watercourses, the Use  and Protection of International Lakes, adopted in Helsinki on March  17, 1992, and other international documents.

The Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia intends to send  materials on these issues to international structures.