Ombudsman: Delimitation without security zone could bring more tension

PanARMENIAN.Net - Delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan can be implemented only after or at least in parallel with the creation of a security zone in the provinces of Syunik and Gegharkunik, Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan said on Friday, May 21.

Without a security zone, the process will not ensure the rights of the citizens of Armenia and especially those of border residents, and will pave the way for more violations and tension, Tatoyan added.

The Ombudsman said top Azerbaijani officials are only building up their anti-Armenian rhetoric, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev constantly speaks in the language of threats, and Azerbaijan hasn't returned Armenian prisoners of war and captives, causing mental suffering to them and their families.

"In general, the demarcation process of borders is of fundamental importance for any country. It is also a guarantee for the protection of human rights," Tatoyan said.

"However, the delimitation process may last for years, if not decades, and as long as the conditions listed by me do not exist, the urgency of real guarantees of the rights of the border residents of Armenia, and the Armenian citizens, requires the creation of a security zone around the Gegharkunik and Syunik provinces, along all the sections of the border with Azerbaijan."

Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed on Thursday that the Armenian government is negotiating a new document with Azerbaijan and Russia. The redacted paper was first published by Armenia's former ambassador to the Vatican Mikayel Minasyan, who said Pashinyan was going to sign the new agreement that would damage the interests of the country. Pashinyan maintained, however, that "those "solutions are 100% in line with the interests of the Republic of Armenia."