Naira Zohrabyan Appeals to International Human Rights Organizations Regarding Armenian Soldier

NAIRA ZOHRABYAN, a member of the Armenian National Assembly from the Prosperous Armenia Party, has made an appeal on her Facebook page stating: "I have contacted international human rights organizations. The videos published by Azerbaijani soldiers represent a gross violation of the rights of soldier Gurgen Alaverdyan. On August 22, around 19:30, during the inspection of a combat position, due to extremely unfavorable weather conditions, soldier Gurgen Alaverdyan became disoriented and lost his way, finding himself under the jurisdiction of the Azerbaijani armed forces.

While lost in the positions, Gurgen Alaverdyan, who was presented as the leader of a diversionary group by the Azerbaijanis, was subjected to humiliation and violence by Azerbaijani soldiers. The putting of handcuffs on the soldier, covering his face with a hat, the insults that offend the dignity of the soldier, and making humiliating statements emphasizing Gurgen Alaverdyan's ethnic belonging—spreading all of this through social networks and Azerbaijani television is a gross violation of the fundamental principles of the Geneva Conventions.

I would like to remind you that the convention guarantees the right to respect for the honor and dignity of prisoners of war, which excludes any humiliation and disrespectful treatment. Azerbaijan, a member of the Council of Europe, which has joined many international legal conventions, including the well-known convention on the treatment of prisoners of war, continues to systematically violate and disregard its own obligations.

We have seen many times how this country treats Armenian servicemen and civilians who find themselves under its jurisdiction, and what inhumane tortures and killings they are subjected to, such as the case of Manvel Saribekyan, for which there was no adequate legal assessment from the international human rights community. I expect a response from international organizations using all legal instruments in reaction to Azerbaijan's gross violations of international law."