Relatives and representatives of Armenian detainees unlawfully held in Azerbaijan have sent a letter to Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ararat Mirzoyan; the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, Ignazio Cassis; and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, requesting the activation of the Protecting Power mechanism within the framework of international humanitarian law.
The letter states that the complete closure of the International Committee of the Red Cross office in Azerbaijan has significantly worsened the already severe condition of the prisoners, while their relatives have been left in uncertainty. “Taking into account the above and recalling the obligations established within the framework of international humanitarian law, we, with the utmost respect but also with determination, call on Armenia to officially appeal to the Government of the Swiss Confederation so that the Swiss side assumes the role of the ‘Protecting Power.’ This is a necessary and urgent step to ensure the protection of the rights, security, and dignity of our relatives through internationally recognized mechanisms.
While we are mindful that the institution of the ‘Protecting Power’ has, in recent decades, fallen into disuse and may appear unusual in today’s context, the exceptional and unlawful circumstances we face today demand precisely such exceptional measures. Azerbaijan’s continued incommunicado detention of Armenian captives, without access by their families, independent lawyers, or impartial humanitarian actors, constitutes a flagrant breach of its obligations under international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions,” the letter states in part.
Noting that at least 19 individuals are currently being held in Baku, their relatives emphasize that this situation has created a serious vacuum in the protection of rights, resulting in a high risk of violence, ill-treatment, and even enforced disappearance.
“In view of these urgent and extraordinary circumstances, and recalling Switzerland’s status as host State and principal supporter of the ICRC in its role as guardian of international humanitarian law, we hereby respectfully but firmly request:
Time is of the essence. Continued inaction risks further aggravating the suffering of those unlawfully detained and increasing the threats to their lives and physical integrity. We therefore respectfully call upon the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Swiss Confederation to take timely and appropriate measures within their respective mandates, and invite the International Committee of the Red Cross to extend its support, with a view to ensuring that international law is effectively upheld and that the rights of ethnic Armenians are duly protected in the face of ongoing violations,” the letter concludes.