Azerbaijan Has Already Committed Several Gross Violations of International Humanitarian Law: Taron Simonian

Azerbaijan has already committed several gross violations of international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Convention of 1949 regarding the treatment of prisoners of war. This was stated by Taron Simonian, a member of the National Assembly from the 'Enlightened Armenia' faction, on his Facebook page.

'Let me remind you that Armenian officer Gurgen Alaverdyan got lost due to severe adverse weather conditions. Search operations are underway. Azerbaijan has already reported that it is holding the Armenian officer, having released a video documenting its own violations. I believe that Azerbaijan should be reminded with the full capabilities of international legal instruments that: Prisoners of war are in the power of the opposing state, but not under the authority of individual persons or units that captured them. Regardless of the responsibility that may fall on individual persons, the state holding the prisoners of war is responsible for their treatment (Article 12). Prisoners of war must always be treated humanely. They equally must always benefit from protection and, in particular, from violence or intimidation, from any acts of ill-treatment and from the curiosity of the public. The application of sanctions against them is prohibited (Article 13). Under all circumstances, prisoners of war have the right to respect for their persons and honor (Article 14). This reminder should create real problems and consequences for that state, which continuously violates international law,' he wrote.