“The line of contact even passes through the settlements of the Republic of Armenia. Moreover, there are cases where it passes through people’s property and houses. From the point of view of human rights and security, if we imagine the mirror withdrawal, it means that we are withdrawing from all places,” said the RA Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan, referring to the Armenian side’s proposal on the mirror withdrawal of troops from the line of contact.
He said, “After my statements, I saw that a number of officials said that it would not refer to the settlements, but that did not solve the problem. First, it is not clear where we are retreating from, how much, and what support we have to go and make deployments, especially in the conditions of Azerbaijani hostility and hatred. Even when it comes to pastures and lands, how will the security of the people be ensured, what will be the international monitoring, where will the deployments of the Azerbaijani troops be?
This is of fundamental importance, because they will be located in the places that belong to the citizens of the Republic of Armenia with their rights. In other words, our citizens will be deprived of their legitimate rights. Therefore, the emphasis should be on human rights and the right to use property.”
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The Defender asked a question, “How can the citizens ensure that one of several hundred animals will not go this way or that one meter? Can you imagine that? Therefore, a special zone must be provided for people to engage in agriculture. Let international monitoring come, but it must be a safe zone for citizens.”
Arman Tatoyan stressed that it was obvious to him from the beginning that the Azerbaijani government would not accept the offer of a mirror withdrawal. “If they do not accept it, let us move on with the rights of our citizens. With all due respect to the Foreign Ministry, this approach endangers human rights; global issues must be used correctly. The Azerbaijani soldiers have come- sorry for the expression- they sat down for themselves, and our people are suffering, deprived of legal rights. I do not understand why it should be like that. Can any international organization explain that the border in Shurnukh is divided through the settlement and children play there every day?
How will the interests of children be ensured in such a militarized zone? Yes, the peacekeeping troops, our Armed Forces, and the police have an important role, but there are armed forces of three countries. The problems will increase in the future. There are issues that I can not publish, but it is necessary to act quickly and target, and to present them to international structures. Withdrawing troops can cause even bigger problems.”
Luiza Sukiasyan
