“International response to the issue of Armenian prisoners of war is insufficient”: Siranush Sahakyan

The Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN has issued a statement, which also referred to the recent conclusions of the UN Committee against Torture, according to which the committee expressed serious concern regarding the continued detention of 23 Armenians in Baku.

"These concerns remain relevant, as the situation continues to threaten the rights, safety and dignity of the victims, particularly given the lack of involvement of international structures, including the International Committee of the Red Cross," the statement released by the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Armenia states.

In an interview with “Azatutyun,” Siranush Sahakyan, head of the Center for International and Comparative Law, stated that the international response has been insufficient. The human rights defender emphasized the need for exerting pressure and noted that there are mechanisms that could be activated for fact-finding purposes.

“For example, the Moscow Mechanism within the OSCE, which is currently being applied in relation to Ukrainian prisoners, has not yet been activated regarding the Armenian prisoners held in Baku. Within this framework, various missions could be sent to Azerbaijan, up to and including the creation of threats of sanctions,” said Sahakyan.

The agreement signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan on August 8 made no reference to the issue of Armenian prisoners of war. Following the 44-day war and the displacement in Artsakh, 23 Armenians are still being held in Baku prisons, 7 of whom have been convicted under serious articles, and trials are underway against 16, including the military-political leadership of Artsakh. Meanwhile, all Azerbaijani detainees held in Armenia have long been repatriated. Siranush Sahakyan believes that Azerbaijan may release the Armenian prisoners after the signing of the peace agreement, not all at once, but in a gradual, phased manner.

"I think that the first stage will include those prisoners of war who were captured during the September 2023 aggression. In the second stage, I consider it likely that the Armenians held hostage since 2020 will be included, and as a third, more difficult stage, the former military-political leadership of Artsakh. However, until the judicial processes are completed, I do not see any prospect of releasing the Armenians who are part of the trial. First, verdicts will be issued, and only then, presumably, the release will be secured through political means," said Siranush Sahakyan.