Statement of civil society organizations condemning military aggression of Azerbaijan against civilians and especially children living in the borderline communities of Armenia
During the period of September 13-17, 2018 the armed forces of Azerbaijan started again the shooting of Armenian villages from large-scale weapons: Chinary, Baghanis, Koti, Vazashen, Voskevan, Berkaber,Aygehovit, Voskepar located in Tavushprovince and Areni village in Vayots Dzor province.
In Chinary village in result of the shooting the local kindergarten was damaged, likewise its protective wall and households. In Koti village a senior civilian (Suren Sepkanian) was wounded, numerous households were damaged, the buildings of schools and kindergartens bear multiple marks of bullets. The video footage from Vazashen village reveals the fact that the shootings happened during the daytime when children were outside or were in schools and kindergartens. These acts point out the fact that shootings targeted civilians and children in particular, with an aim to destroy them and cause atmosphere of panic and horror.
Particularly, within the framework of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, States Parties should respect the norms of International Humanitarian Law in the event of armed conflict involving children. Moreover, not only children are specifically protected under the rules of International Humanitarian Law, but all seizure of, destruction or willful damage done to educational institutions is forbidden, and also subject to proper legal proceedings.
Noteworthy, Armenia in 2017 joined the Safe Schools Declaration that urges states to protect educational institutions from military offense and the use of armed forces against them. Accordingly, Armenia, along with 81 other states signatories of the declaration, gives importance to the protection of children, students and teachers during armed conflicts and condemns any military actions against schools and educational facilities. It should be mentioned, that in May 2017, the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, and later the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflicts and the Human Rights High Commissioner urged all Member States to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration in their report to the United Nations Security Council on protection of civilians in armed conflict. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan has not joined the Safe Schools Declaration up until now, thus displaying its attitude towards the values adopted and protected by international community.
We strongly condemn any acts of violence of armed forces towards civilian population and especially children and call international community to evaluate these violations and leverage legal means to demonstrate anti-humanistic nature of such policy. At the same time, we reinstate our commitment to work for the wellbeing of children and their safe life.
