The Deputy Ombudsman of Armenia Presents Findings on Prisoners to the Lithuanian Ambassador

The Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan received the Ambassador of Lithuania to Armenia, Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė, today.

During the meeting, issues regarding gross violations of human rights by the Azerbaijani armed forces during the war were discussed, including the atrocities committed against both military personnel and civilians.

The Human Rights Defender emphasized that targeting the peaceful population of Artsakh and using prohibited weapons against them, the involvement of mercenary terrorists, as well as rampant hatred and inhumane treatment, are indicative of Azerbaijan's political agenda aimed at conducting ethnic cleansing in Artsakh through terrorist methods, which continues to this day.

Tatoyan informed the ambassador that the Azerbaijani authorities are artificially delaying the processes of returning Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, both during the hostilities and prior to and after these events, as well as the exchange of the remains of those killed.

„Azerbaijan aims to deliberately create an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension within the Armenian society, undermining the mental integrity of the community and causing mental suffering to the families of deceased service members, the missing, and prisoners. All of this is part of Azerbaijan's policy of hatred towards Armenians,“ Arman Tatoyan noted.

He characterized the release of prisoners and ensuring their safe return, as well as the exchange of remains, as an urgent issue requiring immediate resolution under the current circumstances.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed other human rights protection issues and reached agreements on new directions for cooperation concerning human rights matters.