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Armenia’s Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Arman Tatoyan has headed to Gegharkunik Province with the representatives of his staff to get acquainted with the border situation on the ground, to carry out fact-finding activities and to protect border residents’ rights, Tatoyan’s office said in a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday.

Since May 12, the ombudsman has been receiving alarming reports from Vardenis, Kut, Norabak, and Verin Shorzha communities of Gegharkunik Province in connection with obvious illegal presence of the Azerbaijani armed forces in the direction and vicinity of Gegharkunik civilian communities within the Armenian border.

Investigations by the Human Rights Defender's Office, including the Gegharkunik unit, confirm that the criminal actions of the Azerbaijani military grossly violate the rights of border residents of the Republic of Armenia.

Residents expressed concerns that the presence of Azerbaijani servicemen in the vicinity of their communities endangered their lives and safety, and disturbed their peace and psychological immunity. They also noted that they can no longer use pastures, and given that they are engaged in cattle breeding, which is the source of income for their families, they cannot keep cattle in pastures, and they have concerns for accessibility to irrigation and drinking water resources.

The defender’s staff also recorded alarming reports in the media.

“Armenia’s human rights defender draws attention of international organizations to the fact that these rights of the Armenian border residents are internationally recognized and guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.

“The results of the fact-finding activities will be summarized and sent to international organizations,” the statement reads.