News - Ex-ombudsman: Baku plans to initially settle 300,000 Azerbaijanis in Armenia

In the first phase, according to Baku's statements, Azerbaijan plans to settle about 300 thousand Azerbaijanis in Armenia under the auspices of an international mission in the presence of a security system that the so-called "Western Azerbaijan" community will trust. Arman Tatoyan, former Human Rights Defender (ombudsman) of Armenia, said this during a roundtable discussion on Monday. According to him, it is obvious that it is about Turkey. Tatoyan noted that Azerbaijan's policy is aimed at destroying Armenia's security system. As per the human rights advocate, the current situation implies the need for Armenia’s urgent adoption of a new security strategy, which should be based on several principles, which, however, is impossible under the current policy of the Armenian authorities. "The first principle is the stable system of ensuring the security of the state and the person with the preservation of the Armenian identity. In addition, the strategy should be based on guarantees, including the rule of law, real democratic values, effective state system, combat readiness of the army, and other principles," Tatoyan noted. In his assessment, gross mistakes are being made today, which can lead to irreversible consequences. Tatoyan is sure that what is happening today has nothing in common with the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation because that process implies the availability of maps, a detailed cadastral survey, assessment of requirements, study of roadmaps, and mandatory accounting of the population's rights. The former ombudsman of Armenia reminded about gross violations of the rights of residents of Syunik, Gegharkunik, and Vayots Dzor Provinces of Armenia. He added that the border delimitation commission of Armenia has no right to make statements that may have consequences for the entire country. "That commission was created on the basis of the personal legal act of the head of the government, referring to the law that enables forming only a consultative body. The activities of the commission should concern only the interests of the members of that commission. What does the whole country have to do with this? If the regulations have not been decided, if the issues surrounding the draft have not been agreed upon, how can one make statements on behalf of that commission that will lead to consequences regarding the violation of the safety of the population?" asked Arman Tatoyan.