The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) officially announced on Tuesday that, by decision of the Azerbaijani government, the organization will cease the operations of its delegation in Azerbaijan starting Wednesday. Armenian News-NEWS.am spoke on this topic with Siranush Sahakyan, head of the Center for International and Comparative Law, the Armenian POWs’ legal representative at the European Court of Human Rights, and an attorney.
Ms. Sahakyan, does the suspension of the ICRC’s activities mean that Armenian POWs are now left completely unprotected and that there is no longer any way to obtain impartial information about their actual condition?
Unfortunately, yes. The ICRC was essentially the only international organization with access to the prisoners of war and political prisoners held in [Azerbaijani capital] Baku. Through the ICRC, families were able to send packages, phone calls with relatives were arranged during the organization’s visits, and the Red Cross also provided information to families. Currently, there is no independent body capable of offering impartial and accurate information about the real situation of the Armenian POWs. This is extremely concerning, as it opens up a wide, unchecked opportunity for the physical and psychological torture of the detainees. The ICRC visits, which had already ceased in June, have left their heavy consequences. In phone calls made in recent days, it has become evident that the prisoners are experiencing severe health and psychological issues. This clearly shows that the absence of international oversight creates an immediate threat to their life and safety.
The Red Cross last visited the prisoners in June. Do you have any information on whether they have been able to contact their families since then?
According to my information, there have been brief phone calls. But sadly, no one can say with certainty in what condition they truly find themselves.
In July, Azerbaijani media reported that their local committee against torture had visited and monitored the detention center of the State Security Service and met with Armenian prisoners, and, allegedly, the detainees had no complaints.
Apparently, such reports aim to demonstrate that they are supposedly fulfilling the Red Cross’s role through local structures. However, under interim measures applied by the European Court of Human Rights, Azerbaijan is obligated to provide regular updates on the protection of these individuals’ rights and health status.
Yet not only does Azerbaijan fulfill this duty reluctantly, it also attempts to have the interim measures lifted by submitting to the court one-sided and often false information, which does not correspond to the facts.
Yesterday, there were reports that [Lebanese Armenian] Vicken Euljekjian is continuing his hunger strike [in Baku], and his life is at risk. Do you have any information about this?
The information is fragmentary. We have absolutely no way of receiving impartial data on his real condition. Of course, as I have mentioned before, there is the possibility of securing consular access and visits through neutral third countries. Back in March, we submitted a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia regarding this, considering Azerbaijan’s increasing threats to suspend the Red Cross’s activities. Unfortunately, up until now, no practical or tangible steps have been taken in that direction.
Moreover, as you know, the issue of the prisoners is not included in the preliminary peace agreement, either. Instead of immediately releasing the Armenians held in Azerbaijan as proof of its intent to establish peace, the Azerbaijani side is effectively expelling the only international humanitarian organization from the country.