Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva conducts fact-finding mission to Barda city

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva conducts the fact-finding mission in Barda city to conduct investigations of the human casualties and destructions caused by two days in row of consecutive shelling with prohibited cluster bombs by Armenian armed forces.

Unfortunately, 5 civilians, including a child, were killed and 13 civilians were injured on October 27 at 4:00 p.m. in Garayusifli village of Barda district which has been shelled by Armenian armed forces in gross violation of the requirements of the humanitarian ceasefire declared since October 26, 2020 at 08:00 a.m.

The next day, on October 28, at around 1:00 pm as the result of rocket attacks committed by Armenian armed forces on the densely populated central area of Barda city due to the location of commercial facilities, more than 20 civilians were killed and 70 civilians were injured, as well as civilian infrastructure and many vehicles were severely damaged.

Thus, Armenia, which continues to commit war crimes and terror against civilians, violates the norms and principles of international law, international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949, as well as the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by once again committing an act of terror against civilian population.

The Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva met with the relatives of the killed and wounded civilians, as well as with the residents who became victims of this brutal act in Barda city. Factual materials related to the above-mentioned were collected during the on-site investigation in order to be included in the next report of the Ombudsman for the international community.

This report of the Ombudsman will be developed in order to draw the attention of the world community being based on the materials obtained during the fact-finding mission on the crimes committed by Armenia in open disrespect for international law.