The anxiety and anger of residents of Kapan, Goris and other towns and border villages of Syunik Province of Armenia, including those related to the process of demarcation and delimitation of borders in the region, are justified, Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Arman Tatoyan said on Thursday.

“We are talking about the right to life and other fundamental rights of the residents of these settlements, their physical safety and security, the opportunities to ensure their livelihood and, finally, the security of Armenia’s state borders,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Along with specialists of my office, I paid a special working visit to Syunik and was convinced of the relevance of these issues. In addition, since early yesterday morning and today, the Office of the Human Rights Defender has been receiving alarming calls and concerns from residents of Syunik border communities over the same issues, and protest actions are being monitored.

“I emphasize that the government of Armenia (not the local authorities of Syunik), the supreme executive body of our country, must provide proper explanations to the public and especially residents of border settlements on issues and developments concerning them and our society as a whole.

“This is a right of citizens granted by the Constitution. The state has a direct obligation to ensure it, period!” the ombudsman said.