Human Rights Defender Investigates Azerbaijani Atrocities Against Armenian Soldiers' Bodies

The Staff of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia is currently conducting a comparative study of the atrocities and inhumane treatment perpetrated by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces against the bodies of Armenian soldiers, prisoners of war, and civilians. The aim is to uncover similarities with the methods employed by the Islamic State (ISIS) and other terrorist groups.

These similarities are evident. For example, mutilation or torture of the victim’s body parts, or humiliation occurs, which is then photographed or filmed and published. Such publications are not random; they are disseminated with specific intent to ensure widespread exposure and long-term display. Moreover, all resources of social media are utilized for this extensive distribution.

The purpose of this brutality is to receive public praise for the acts committed or to establish one’s dominance by showcasing inhumane behavior. Another commonality is inflicting maximum psychological pain or suffering on the family members or relatives of victims, such as notifying families about beheadings with blatant cynicism and a display of hatred.

An important component is the intention to prolong the inflicted psychological pain. For instance, warning a family member just 5-6 hours before the publication of a dead soldier's photo online is a form of prolonged torture.

Another crucial similarity is the attempt to use these acts to incite tension, panic, and anxiety at the societal level. For example, spreading hate-filled materials from the social media pages of our compatriots captured or otherwise found in Azerbaijan, or disseminating videos and photos of wartime atrocities on Armenian social media pages, while simultaneously spreading hatred against ethnic Armenians.

All these issues are also under our scrutiny and will be presented to international bodies in separate reports, as necessary. Additional publications will be made as required.