ArmInfo. Carrying out only demarcation with Azerbaijan without creating a security zone will become a pretext for new violations of the rights of citizens of the Republic of Armenia and tensions. RA Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan addressed the Armenian authorities with such a warning.
In particular, the statement reads: "As the Defender of Human Rights of Armenia, I warn the RA authorities that demarcation of the border with Azerbaijan without creating a security zone will not only fail to protect the rights of citizens of the country and especially residents of the border area, but will also cause new violations of rights and new tension as long as there are at least the following conditions:
-the Azerbaijani authorities did not suspend, but on the contrary deepened the policy of Armenophobia and enmity, reaching to fascism, in relation to the entire population of Armenia, the entire Armenian people;
-by the same principle, the President of Azerbaijan constantly speaks the language of threats against our country and the entire population;
- the Azerbaijani authorities deliberately continue to inflict mental suffering on the families of captured and missing Armenian servicemen, violate the rights of prisoners, not reporting their actual number and not returning them to their homeland;
-the real danger of a repetition of the atrocities of Azerbaijanis against civilians and military personnel of the Armenian side during the war has not been eliminated, while no one has been held responsible for what happened;
- Azerbaijani servicemen are illegally located in the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia - Gegharkunik and Syunik, violating the peace of mind of the Armenian society;
- representatives of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, located in the vicinity of the villages of Gegharkunik and Syunik, continue to grossly violate the rights of residents of the border regions of the Republic of Armenia (threats to the citizens of Armenia with a demonstration of weapons to shepherds, people are denied access to their land plots, pastures, regular shots are heard near the villages of the Republic of Armenia and etc.);
-On the roads between the communities of Syunik, gross violations of rights and provocations are recorded (throwing stones at a civilian car of an Armenian resident on the road from Goris to Kapan, blocking the road from Kapan to the village of Chakaten by an Azerbaijani car and other incidents). The placement of Azerbaijani signs, flags and the deployment of military personnel on these roads constantly violates the rights of citizens of the Republic of Armenia (psychological stress and intimidation, restriction of the free movement of people, etc.), "he said.
Tatoyan also especially noted that demarcation is of fundamental importance for any country, and it is also a guarantee of human rights.
"But demarcation can last for years, if not decades, and as long as all the above conditions exist, the relevance of real guaranteeing the rights of residents of the border regions of the Republic of Armenia, RA citizens requires the creation of a security zone on all sections of the border with Azerbaijan, around Gegharkunik and Syunik. That is, demarcation can be carried out only after the creation of a security zone, or at least in parallel with this, "the Ombudsman said.
In his opinion, in order to restore the disturbed normal life and rights of the citizens of the Republic of Armenia and, first of all, the residents of the border area, it is necessary to remove the representatives of the armed forces of Azerbaijan, flags and signs near the villages of the RA and from the roads between the communities. Otherwise, the process of demarcation in itself will not lead to the achievement of the set goal, including the protection of human rights.
"In this case, carrying out only demarcation will be accompanied by new violations of the rights of citizens of the Republic of Armenia. This, in turn, will undermine the prospects for peace and security of people in the region," he concluded.