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The Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia has issued an emergency report on the fact-finding activities regarding the Azerbaijani cross-border shelling in the direction of the borderline villages of Armenia.
Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan said at a meeting with reporters Friday that it goes about the shootings opened in the direction of Koty, Baghanis, Vazashen, Voskevan and Aygehovit villages of Tavush region in September.

"Fact-finding is a new direction in the HRD activity in general, and we have started it since 2016 and it is exclusively based on international principles. We have started to carry out these works, basing on press releases, official messages, and more importantly, alarming calls we have received. During the fact-finding activities, we have had meetings with local residents, with administrations and teachers. Throughout these activities, we have been closely cooperating with rural community leaders. It is also welcoming that over fifty NGOs have made critical statements regarding the protection of children in the targeted areas," Tatoyan said.

He pointed out that the shootings were mainly carried out at the time when the civilian population was active and mainly in the direction of the kindergartens and schools of the villages.

"For example, according to our data in the village of Koti, fires were opened on September 2, 4, 5, 15, 16, 29, the report also clearly stated the exact time of the shootings. As for Baghanis, I was there in person, the roof of the village school has been damaged, and there had been danger that the children playing on the playground could have also been affected. That's why, following the fact-finding, we are working with some international institutions so that preventive measures can be taken, " said the defender.

Tatoyan said that the report will be submitted to international organizations, relevant civil societies and state bodies.

"I want to emphasize that this report is exclusively based on the protection of the human rights," he added.