Azerbaijan terrorizes civilian population of Sotk - Human Rights  Defender

ArmInfo. Today, in the early morning of May 11, 2023, the Azerbaijani armed forces conducted another  aggressive operation in the immediate vicinity of the Sotk community,  firing directly at the Armenian positions using weapons of various  calibers. This is stated in the statement of Human Rights Defender  Ms. Anahit Manasyan on the human rights violations as a result of the  actions of Azerbaijani armed forces in the immediate vicinity of Sotk

"The use of mortars and artillery by the Azerbaijani armed forces in  the immediate vicinity of Sotk community undermines the rights to  life, health, and other fundamental rights of the civilian  population.  The Human Rights Defender continues to receive alarming  calls that the shootings are clearly visible in the village, as a  result of which the population is terrorized, and in a state of  uncertainty and tension. The activities of the gold mine of Sotk have  also been stopped since morning, taking into consideration the  security of the workers.

The information which is disseminated about the Azerbaijani targeting  of an ambulance carrying a wounded serviceman is of great concern,  especially when the ambulance was clearly marked and identifiable. It  should be highlighted that targeting an ambulance is prohibited by  the norms of international humanitarian law.

The Human Rights Defender's Office is in constant contact with the  management of the medical institution and the medical staff. The  issues related to the health of the Armenian servicemen are under the  close attention of the Defender.

The Human Rights Defender highlights again, that the shootings  conducted by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the immediate vicinity  of Armenian villages, including the use of weapons of large caliber,  which is aimed at terrorizing the population and keeping them in a  constant state of alarm, stress, and anxiety.  These acts grossly  violate the principles of international law and pose a real threat to  the rights to life and security, and other fundamental rights of the  civilian population," the statement reads.