Azerbaijani ombudsperson appeals to int'l organisations over Armenia-captured soldiers

Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Ombudsperson) Sabina Aliyeva has addressed a letter to relevant international and regional organisations in order to draw their attention within their mandates to the issue of ensuring the rights of Azerbaijani servicemen detained by the Armenian side.

The Ombudsperson's Office told Caliber.Az that it demanded to study videos and photos published in Armenian media showing the inhuman treatment of Azerbaijani servicemen. In this regard, the ombudsperson sent a letter to the Central and Baku offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The letter also mentions the statement of the Armenian ombudsperson, who visited Azerbaijani servicemen the day before, that they have no complaints of torture or cruel treatment. It is noted that after photos and video footage clearly showing violence against the Azerbaijani soldier, this statement of the Armenian ombudsperson does not reflect reality and is aimed at concealing the offences committed, which is worrying. In this regard, the Ombudsperson of Azerbaijan insists that the relevant international and regional organisations promptly respond to these offences within their mandates.

However, it was emphasised that the ombudsman and the National Preventive Group had repeatedly visited members of Armenian prisoners of war detained during the Second Karabakh War, as well as members of Armenian military groups who had been detained in the post-war period, and numerous press statements had been made about this.

Along with these actions committed in flagrant violation of norms and principles of international law and international humanitarian law, the appeal noted that the recent disgracing of the Azerbaijani flag at the European Weightlifting Championship was the result of a widely propagated policy of hatred against Azerbaijan in Armenia.

Finally, the ombudsperson called for support to organise a video call between Azerbaijani servicemen and their families, to ensure their safety and return to Azerbaijan.