Azerbaijan terrorizes civilian population of Sotk - Human Rights  Defender

ArmInfo. Today, in the early morning of May 11, 2023, the Azerbaijani armed forces conducted another 

aggressive operation in the immediate vicinity of the Sotk community, 

firing directly at the Armenian positions using weapons of various 

calibers. This is stated in the statement of Human Rights Defender 

Ms. Anahit Manasyan on the human rights violations as a result of the 

actions of Azerbaijani armed forces in the immediate vicinity of Sotk

"The use of mortars and artillery by the Azerbaijani armed forces in 

the immediate vicinity of Sotk community undermines the rights to 

life, health, and other fundamental rights of the civilian 

population.  The Human Rights Defender continues to receive alarming 

calls that the shootings are clearly visible in the village, as a 

result of which the population is terrorized, and in a state of 

uncertainty and tension. The activities of the gold mine of Sotk have 

also been stopped since morning, taking into consideration the 

security of the workers.

The information which is disseminated about the Azerbaijani targeting 

of an ambulance carrying a wounded serviceman is of great concern, 

especially when the ambulance was clearly marked and identifiable. It 

should be highlighted that targeting an ambulance is prohibited by 

the norms of international humanitarian law.

The Human Rights Defender's Office is in constant contact with the 

management of the medical institution and the medical staff. The 

issues related to the health of the Armenian servicemen are under the 

close attention of the Defender.

The Human Rights Defender highlights again, that the shootings 

conducted by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the immediate vicinity 

of Armenian villages, including the use of weapons of large caliber, 

which is aimed at terrorizing the population and keeping them in a 

constant state of alarm, stress, and anxiety.  These acts grossly 

violate the principles of international law and pose a real threat to 

the rights to life and security, and other fundamental rights of the 

civilian population," the statement reads.