The study of the results of monitoring conducted by the Office of the Human Rights Defender, as well as the collected data as of now, evidence that several rights of people with disabilities, including rights to life, security, and health guaranteed by international legal acts have been violated due to military actions combined with indiscriminate targeting and aggression against the Republic of Armenia by in Syunik, Gegharkunik, and Vayots Dzor regions conducted by the Azerbaijani armed forces on September 13-14, 2022.
Based on the data collected by the Office of the Human Rights as of the 15th of September at least 99 people with disabilities have been displaced from the areas of Syunik, Gegharkunik, and Vayots Dzor regions affected by the war actions conducted by the Azerbaijani armed forces. Due to the indiscriminate targeting and intensity of the use of various weapons by the Azerbaijani armed forces, in some cases, people with disabilities and the elderly, as well as their caregivers were practically deprived of the opportunity of displacement. This is a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
The targeting of Vardenis city of Gegharkunik province by the Azerbaijani armed forces directly threatened the rights to life, safety, and health of over 450 people with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities living in Vardenis neuropsychological boarding house, as well as created additional obstacles to the provision of medical, social and other services.
In this regard, the Human Rights Defender specifically highlights that the requirements for respect for people with disabilities and their protection, including the use of special measures for evacuation, are defined by the third and fourth Geneva Conventions, the UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities and other international legal acts. Meanwhile, it shall be taken into consideration that issues with access to living conditions and services, including obstacles to the unhindered provision and provision of water, sanitation, food, shelter, and health services, can cause a humanitarian disaster. In this context, people with disabilities are doubly vulnerable due to their special needs and health issues. Therefore, armed conflict, war, hostilities, martial law, or martial situations create additional challenges for persons with disabilities requiring additional insurance for special conditions.
The Human Rights Defender, as an independent body monitoring the implementation of the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, submits the collected information and the Defender’s observations to international bodies, including the UN Committee on the Rights of People with Disabilities and other institutions dealing with the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
Human Rights Defender of Armenia