Human Rights Watch Raises Concerns Over Inhumane Treatment of Armenian Prisoners in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani forces have displayed inhumane treatment towards Armenian prisoners of war captured during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. According to Armenpress, Human Rights Watch, an international organization, has made this assertion, adding that since October, Armenian military captives have been subjected to physical abuse and humiliation, with these actions reportedly filmed and widely circulated on social media.

The prominent human rights organization has raised an alarm, stating that the videos depict Azerbaijanis slapping, hitting, and degrading Armenian soldiers, compelling them to kiss the Azerbaijani flag, praise President Ilham Aliyev, insult Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and declare that Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan.

“In most of the videos, the faces of the captors are visible, suggesting that they are unconcerned about facing consequences. The violent and degrading treatment of prisoners of war cannot be justified. Respect for humanitarian law entails a responsibility to protect prisoners of war. Azerbaijani authorities must immediately put an end to such treatment,” stated Hugh Williamson, director of Human Rights Watch for Europe and Central Asia.

He added that although some prisoners captured in the reviewed videos mentioned to their families that they are being treated well, there are serious grounds for concern about their safety and well-being.

“International humanitarian law or the laws of armed conflict require that parties to armed conflict treat prisoners of war humanely in all circumstances. The Third Geneva Convention protects prisoners of war, specifically from acts of violence, intimidation, insults, and public curiosity,” the statement read.