In Meeting with ICRC Chief, Mirzoyan Calls for Release of Armenian POWs
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan raised the issue of the sham trials of Artsakh leaders in Baku during his speech at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, criticizing Baku for creating obstacles to the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“As we speak, mock trials against 23 Armenian individuals, who are arbitrarily detained, are taking place in Azerbaijan with disregard for human rights standards for due process,” Mirzoyan said.
The foreign minister was referring to the sham trials currently underway in two military courtrooms in Baku. Former Artsakh presidents and other high-ranking political and military officials are facing trumped up charges in one courtroom, while Artsakh’s former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan is being tried separately on more than 45 charges.
Vardanyan announced that he had gone on a hunger strike to protest the human rights and international law violations on display by state prosecutors and judiciary.
During his address at the UN Human Rights Council, Mirzoyan also accused Azerbaijan of questioning Armenia’s territorial integrity, despite both countries agreeing to recognize each other’s territorial integrity “based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration.”
“One year ago, in my statement I made extensive references to the challenges that Armenia was facing,” Mirzoyan said.
“Unfortunately, most of those challenges still remain unresolved despite the tremendous efforts of my country. Statements coming from our eastern neighbor continue to question the territorial integrity of Armenia, despite the recognition of each other’s territorial integrity based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration,” he added.
Mirzoyan emphasized that Armenia remains faithful to the agenda of establishing of peace and stability in the region, and has made several constructive proposals to the Azerbaijan, including within the context of peace agreement, opening of transport routes, mutual arms control and verification mechanism, all of which necessitate a strategic deal that will resolve all major issues.
“We remain convinced that constructive response and further engagement and demonstration of political will of both parties will largely contribute to opening a new era of peace in our region,” Mirzoyan stated.
Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammedov responded to Mirzoyan during his own address to the UN Human Rights Council, saying that Armenia must amend its constitution and ensure a land “corridor” connecting Azerbaijan with Nakhichevan.
While in Geneva, Mirzoyan also met with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, with whom he also raised the issue of Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees.
According to the foreign ministry, Mirzoyan raised the issue of the release of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians illegally detained in Azerbaijan, the ongoing sham trials, and expressed concern over the health condition of mentioned individuals and the possible pressure exerted on them.
Among other agenda items, was a the need to take additional steps toward clarifying the fate of missing persons. Mirzoyan emphasized Armenia’s readiness and steps taken to address the issue, taking into account the sensitivity of the matter for the families of missing persons.
He said that resolving humanitarian issues could be a significant factor in achieving a comprehensive settlement and establishing lasting peace.
