YEREVAN, March 12. /ARKA/. Armenia is obligated to take all necessary measures to secure the possibility of consular visits to Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan, said Siranush Sahakyan, the head of the Center for International and Comparative Law and representative of Armenian prisoners’ interests at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), in an interview with the Novosti-Armenia news agency.
She emphasized that this is particularly important given the risks of the suspension of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) activities in Azerbaijan.
According to the human rights advocate, consular visits help prevent torture, facilitate the implementation of prisoners’ rights, provide them with medical care, and, in general, are crucial to prevent isolation.
“The measures currently being taken in political and diplomatic terms are not comprehensive enough; they are extremely limited and cannot ensure the release of the prisoners. The only way to eliminate isolation is through consular services. Armenia has not provided them, citing the lack of diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan. However, international law provides alternative tools. For example, consular services could be delegated to third, neutral countries, such as Switzerland or Scandinavian countries,” Sahakyan emphasized.
She explained that the issue of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan is quite complex and multifaceted, and their rights are under threat.
“At present, we can protect their lives with the involvement of international organizations, but the physical integrity and safety of the prisoners have already been violated. Testimonies from those who have returned to Armenia show that mistreatment, torture, and other forms of violence are widespread and are regularly linked to Armenophobia,” Sahakyan noted.
Mentioning the ongoing violations of the rights of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan, the human rights activist said that the situation is becoming critical. “Legal processes are underway, but they cannot currently lead to the adoption of judicial decisions. It will take several years to formulate a legal position, and the main path in this matter is political. Politically, the calls have intensified, and the Armenian authorities are taking some steps in this direction, but they are not sufficient to resolve the problem,” Sahakyan concluded.
About Armenian prisoners in Baku
Officially, Azerbaijan acknowledges holding only 33 Armenian prisoners of war and civilians, but Armenian human rights activists claim there are another 80 Armenian prisoners.
On January 17, the so-called trial of 15 Armenian prisoners of war began in Baku. Among them are former State Minister of Artsakh Ruben Vardanyan, former Presidents of the Republic Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, former Speaker of the Parliament David Ishkhanyan, former Foreign Minister and former Assistant to the President of the NKR David Babayan, former Commander of the Defense Army Levon Mnatsakanyan, and former Deputy Commander of the Defense Army of Artsakh David Manukyan.
On February 28, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing concern about reports from the “trials” of 23 Armenian prisoners, as well as information released by their lawyers, including Ruben Vardanyan, who is on hunger strike, regarding the pressure on them, torture, and the noticeable deterioration in their health.
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