On October 2, 2020, the Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mrs. Bahar Muradova held a press conference in connection with the acts of violence and killings of civilians, including women and children, during military provocations by the Armenian armed forces.

Speaking at the conference, the Chairperson of the Committee  Mrs.Bahar Muradova informed that the intensive shelling of Azerbaijani settlements on the line of contact by the Armenian armed forces with artillery and various weapons once again reveals the fascist nature of the Armenian politics.

As a result of shelling by Armenian armed forces, civilians, representatives of mass media received various injuries, apartment buildings for internally displaced persons and people with disabilities, civilian facilities, government buildings, kindergartens, schools and even ambulances were seriously damaged.

She noted that article 3 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of Warprohibits any  violence to life and person , in particular  murder of all kinds mutilation ,cruel treatment and torture. It was also stated that Articles 79 (I) and 51 (2) I of the Additional Protocol to the Convention prohibit attacks on journalists and civilians. Article 52 of the Additional Protocol to the Convention provides for the right to respect for public property in time of war. In accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter the armed forces of Azerbaijan conduct counteroffensive operations in response to the act of aggression of the Armenian armed forces and does not fight against civilians in Armenia.

On behalf of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, Mrs. Bahar Muradova called on international organizations for the of human rights, especially women and children, and stressed the importance to treat the aggressor appropriately. She said that Armenia has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. However, not only during the war, but also during the ceasefire, the Armenian side killed minors and women. According to Article 38, paragraph 4, of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, "In accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect the civilian population in armed conflicts, States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure protection and care of children who are affected by an armed conflict".

Guided by the principles and obligations of this Convention, our country calls on international organizations, especially those involved in the protection of women's and children's rights, to force Armenia to comply with these Conventions.

She noted that the Republic of Armenia had joined UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and adopted a National Action Plan covering 2019-2021. Paragraph 5 of their National Action Plan mentions the development of a culture of civil security in border settlements. However, the paragraph 5 of the document is grossly violated by Armenia itself.

Mrs. Bahar Muradova concluded her appeal to international organizations and the world community with the following words: "As a person who has been working in the OSCE for many years, as a resident of Karabakh, as a person who lost her house in Karabakh, and finally as an Azerbaijani citizen, the main purpose of my call is that we do not benefit from your open opinion on Armenia's position. We will liberate our lands by our own power". 

Calling on Armenian mothers to protect their children, Mrs. Muradova said that they could prevent their children from fighting in the aggressive, terrorist army and protest against it. She noted that a decision made to establish a women's battalion to replace the soldiers lost in Armenia, has showed how miserable the enemy is: “Today, an Azerbaijani woman raises up a child who serves his homeland with his blood and soul. They take care of our wounded sons in hospitals where it is necessary. If Armenian mothers want to save their sons, first of all they have to protest against the actions and adventures of Anna Hakobyan."