ArmInfo. Under the guise of being a peace-loving nation, Azerbaijan is pushing ahead with its programme of expatriating Armenians from Artsakh by constantly terrorizing civilians throughout Artsakh, especially in the border regions, reads a statement by Human Rights Defender of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan.
Sniping at settlements by Azerbaijan is a violation of civilians' rights, primarily of the right to life.
"At about 2:30pm, January 10, Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan and Prosecutor General Gurgen Nersisyan made a fact-finding trip to Karmir Shuka, Martuni region, to see the consequences of sniping. According to the facts, the Azerbaijani troops had directed heavy fire against peaceful settlements from their nearby positions.
"Thereafter, a civilian's UAZ vehicle in the yard was set to fire, with three persons inside. The house is located about 50 meters of a kindergarten. The children were evacuated.
"In examining the scene, the police found bullets inside the car boot. Shrapnel was found in the yard of another house in the center of the settlement," the statement reads.
On January 10, the Azerbaijani side also opened fire at four farmers in Nakhichevanik, Askeran region. The agricultural equipment was damaged. The civilians were under fire for over an hour and it was only due to Russian peacekeepers that they were saved.
"The goal of Azerbaijan's criminal actions is intimidating and forming an atmosphere of terror and disappointment in Artsakh. Today's incidents, as well as numerous similar incidents last year, are striking evidence that under the guise of being a peace-loving nation, Azerbaijan is pushing ahead with its programme of expatriating Artsakh Armenians by constantly terrorizing civilians throughout Artsakh, especially in the border regions.
"In the context of security and protection of the Artskh people's rights, immediate withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from the area surrounding the civilian settlements is of paramount importance," the statement reads.