RA human rights defender Anahit Manasyan stated about Azerbaijan’s military operations on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
“Today, in the early morning of May 11, the Azerbaijani armed forces took aggressive actions near the settlement of Sotk in the Gegharkunik region, opening fire from weapons of various calibers in the direction of the Armenian positions.
The use of mortars and artillery by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the vicinity of Sotk undermines the civilian population’s life, health, and other fundamental rights.
The human rights defender continues to receive alerts that the shots are audible in the village. As a result, the residents are terrorized, in a state of uncertainty and stress. The work of the Sotki gold mine was also wholly stopped in the morning due to the safety of the workers.
The information spread by Azerbaijan regarding the targeting of an ambulance carrying a wounded service member under the conditions when the vehicle was equipped with the appropriate emblem and equipment is of great concern. It should be noted that targeting an ambulance is prohibited by international humanitarian law.
The defender’s staff is in constant contact with hospital management and medical workers on issues related to the health condition of injured service members. Issues related to the health condition of service members continue to be under the special attention of the Defender.
The human rights defender emphasizes once again that the shootings of the Azerbaijani armed forces near the RA villages, including the use of large-caliber weapons, also have the purpose of terrorizing the civilian population, keeping them in a constant state of stress and anxiety. These actions grossly violate the principles of international law, pose a real threat to the right to life and safety of citizens and other fundamental rights.”
