Public Council Appeals to OSCE Minsk Group Countries' Ambassadors to Protect Rights of Prisoners

The Public Council has addressed the ambassadors of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries regarding the murder, torture, and inhumane treatment of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians in Azerbaijan. They have requested immediate efforts to protect the violated rights of Armenian soldiers and civilians as a result of Azerbaijan's unleashed war against Artsakh.

In their letter, they addressed the following ambassadors:

• H.E. Mr. Sergey Kopyrkin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Armenia
• H.E. Mr. Jonathan Lacôte, Ambassador of the French Republic to the Republic of Armenia
• H.E. Ms. Lynn Tracy, Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Armenia
• H.E. Mr. Igor Nazaruk, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Armenia
• H.E. Dr. Michael Johannes Banzhaf, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Armenia
• H.E. Mr. Vincenzo Del Monaco, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to the Republic of Armenia
• H.E. Ms. Arja Inkeri Makonen, Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to the Republic of Armenia
• H.E. Mr. Patrik Svensson, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to the Republic of Armenia

The letter emphasizes their appreciation for the strong condemnation by the leadership of the OSCE Minsk Group countries regarding the use of force in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. However, they expressed deep regret that the name of the aggressor who initiated the war against Artsakh has never been revealed. They pointed out that Azerbaijan, the third aggressor since 1990, continues its new military crimes even after the truce established under Russian mediation, disregarding all international norms and obligations.

Point 8 of the trilateral statement of November 10 refers to the exchange of prisoners of war, hostages, and other civilians and deceased persons. However, it does not specify a clear timeline for the safe exchange of their compatriots. Azerbaijan continues to violate the ceasefire requirements and prolongs the process of ensuring the return of prisoners of war and civilians, subjecting them to inhumane treatment.

The Public Council calls for immediate action and pressure to provide an urgent solution to the issue. Just days after the ceasefire came into effect, the whole world once again witnessed Azerbaijan's intolerant and discriminatory treatment towards the Armenian people and their cultural heritage.

Video and photographic evidence of atrocities against Artsakh's civilian population, defilement of khachkars, religious institutions, and monuments, as well as deliberate destruction, are circulating in Azerbaijani media. The degrading treatment of Artsakh citizens by Azerbaijani soldiers, based exclusively on their Armenian ethnic origin, is strictly condemnable. This action and its glorification by Azerbaijani society constitute a rejection of accepted moral values.

These acts, directed towards the complete eradication of any trace of the Armenian presence in Artsakh and the prevailing atmosphere of hatred toward Armenians in Azerbaijan, constitute gross violations of international law, contradict universal values, and must be condemned in the strongest terms.

The impunity and failure of the international community to prevent ongoing war crimes provide fertile ground for the Azerbaijani side to continue its atrocities against the peaceful population of Artsakh, prisoners of war, and the bodies of killed servicemen with even greater brutality.

In light of the urgency of the situation, they urge the international community to respond appropriately to such incidents corresponding to its obligations and to prevent further possible atrocities. The Public Council requests efforts to protect the violated rights of Armenian soldiers and civilians resulting from the Artsakh-Azerbaijan conflict.

The mandate set for the co-chairs of the conference on Nagorno-Karabakh under the auspices of the OSCE includes provisions for "working with the parties to the conflict to develop confidence-building measures, particularly in the humanitarian sector, coordinating them with political processes." The co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group welcomed the trilateral statement of November 10, which is not being properly implemented by Azerbaijan, while the Armenian side is withdrawing its armed forces from all territories within the set deadlines.

The Armenian society is concerned as to why obligations related to territorial issues must be fulfilled within specific timelines, while another obligation related to the return of prisoners and deceased persons is not to be immediately implemented.

Here, the OSCE Minsk Group's mandate and responsibility become mandatory commitments: either to stop the fulfillment of all obligations or to contribute to their comprehensive implementation within timelines. Taking into account the urgency of this issue, they call for initiatives and a special visit to Azerbaijan to monitor the situation in places of their detention to prevent violations of the rights of captured soldiers and civilians and to use all necessary efforts to support the International Committee of the Red Cross in expediting the process of exchanging Armenian prisoners.

They express reliance on the understanding of the addressed parties in this matter. By acting in accordance with your mission in the current situation, you can save the lives of innocent people since the peaceful coexistence of Armenians and Azerbaijanis is, unfortunately, impossible under these conditions, as they continue to receive information about the murder, torture, and inhumane treatment of Armenian prisoners and civilians in Azerbaijan.

The Public Council calls for necessary measures to condemn the inhumane actions against Armenian prisoners of war and peaceful residents in Azerbaijan and to protect the rights of the injured under additional guarantees.