Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman Artak Beglaryan, at a briefing today in Stepanakert, reported that at least 46 civilians had been killed and 144 wounded since the outbreak of hostilities on September 27.

Beglaryan said that Azerbaijani shelling of Shushi last night caused extensive damage and that the number of civilian casualties is being verified.

The town of Martuni was also shelled, but no human casualties have been reported.

Azerbaijani shelling wounded two civilians in Stepanakert - one near the maternity hospital, an area of ​​public importance, the other in the residential part of the central market.

"This means that the Azerbaijani armed forces continue to deliberately target the civilian population and civilian objects, contrary to the recognized principles of international humanitarian law and the agreement reached on October 31 through the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs that civilian objects will not be targeted," Beglaryan said, adding that this is further proof that Azerbaijan does not observe rules of international humanitarian law or political agreements.

Beglaryan said some of yesterday's attacks were carried out with cluster munitions, a weapon prohibited by international humanitarian law.

Summarizing the government’s damage reports, Beglaryan said that as of November 2, 61 schools (28% of the total number) and 10 kindergartens have been damaged in Artsakh.