Azeri troops' presence in Syunik should be ruled out: Armenia Ombudsman

PanARMENIAN.Net - The presence of Azerbaijani armed forces (flags and signs) in the communities of Armenia's Syunik province, or on the roads connecting those communities, should cease and be ruled out forthwith, Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan said Thursday, February 11.

"They have placed themselves there at the expense of gross violations of the rights of the civilian population of Armenia and Artsakh, by military and ethnic cleansing, mass destruction of peaceful communities, continuous institutional hatred of Armenians, torture, inhumane treatment, illegally keeping captives, threats of a new war, and gross violations of international rules in border “determination” through mechanical approaches," Tatoyan said.

"To be clear, by the mere presence of the Azerbaijani military, the rights of the border residents of Armenia, first and foremost, are seriously violated and severely endangered, including but not limited to their property rights. Military shootings. All these undermine the peaceful life and tranquility of Armenian civilians."

No matter the circumstances, Tatoyan said, their presence or any movement is illegal, devoid of any legal basis, and contradictory to the foundations of human rights under international law.