Armenia Ombudsman touts "demilitarized zone" in SyunikMarch 5, 2021 - 15:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A demilitarized zone with a width of 5-7 km should be created in the Syunik province of Armenia before the completion of the process of "demarcation" of borders with Azerbaijan, Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan told a press conference on Friday, March 5. According to him, the determination of borders in accordance with international law and practice is based on important principles, i.e. priority of law, democracy, human rights. The Ombudsman noted that the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan are opening fire at any time of the day in the immediate vicinity of the civilian settlements of Syunik province. “There are gross violations of the rights of residents, especially children, as well as serious threats to their right to life and property. In the village of Nerkin Hand, the school is located 500 meters from an Azerbaijani post from where shootings are coming. The same is true about many other villages,” Tatoyan said. After the completion of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, many villages and towns in Syunik, Armenia's south, became border settlements, with Azerbaijan deploying troops to areas in the immediate vicinity of civilian communities. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). Turkey extends military presence in Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has adopted a bill submitted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the mandate of Turkish troops. |