Armenia’s Human Rights Defender’s (HRD) Office released a statement today that residents of villages in the country’s Gegharkunik Province now bordering Azerbaijan have valid concerns regarding their physical safety, property rights and mental health.

The HRD says that staffers who visited several villages in Gegharkunik that now border Azerbaijan because of the war discussed the situation with residents, local Armenian military commanders, and the Gegharkunik Provincial Governor.

Residents told the staffers that due to safety concerns they are no longer able to farm or raise livestock in the border areas.

The HRD staffers also met with GeoProMining Gold management regarding the plight of the Sotk gold mine. Part of the mine now lies in Azerbaijani-controlled territory.