YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Vahram Dumanyan sent an official letter to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, presenting the large-scale military aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Armenia’s sovereign territory on September 13, 2022, as well as the consequences of that aggression.

In the letter the minister said that not only the military positions, but also the civilian infrastructure were targeted by the Azerbaijani armed forces. In particular, according to the data collected by the Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, at least 7600 people were evacuated from Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik provinces. Most of the evacuees are women, children and elderly, including also persons with disabilities.

The letter also said that as a result of the Azerbaijani military aggression, the study process in general educational and pre-school facilities has been stopped for security purposes. As a result, 24,873 students studying at 172 schools and 5808 children of 69 pre-schools in Syunik, Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor provinces were deprived of the right to education and prosperous future. The activity of other educational facilities, colleges and universities in these provinces is also under danger.

The minister said that the targeting of students, teachers and educational facilities, the gross violation of the international humanitarian law and the right to education are unacceptable in all cases and must be strongly condemned.

In his letter Minister Dumanyan asked the UNESCO Director-General to respond to the heavy threat caused as a result of the Azerbaijani military aggression and condemn such hostile actions of Azerbaijan, thus contributing to the prevention of further violations of the fundamental principles of UNESCO mandate and ensuring the protection of the rights of the population who were forcefully displaced, the civilian population and civilian infrastructure during the military operations.

The special report prepared by the Human Rights Defender of Armenia was also attached to the letter.