Closed-Door Discussion: What Is the Objective of Independent MPs?

Following the Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression and the war unleashed in Artsakh, the National Assembly of Armenia held an urgent closed-door discussion on December 8 regarding the return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian detainees from captivity. After the discussions, a message was directed to the international community and organizations, calling for the immediate return of prisoners to the Armenian side by Azerbaijan and for an end to their torture and inhumane treatment.

However, two months have passed since that announcement, and according to various reports, there are over a hundred prisoners on the Azerbaijani side. Following the tripartite declaration on November 9, those who have been captured since are not considered prisoners of war by Azerbaijan, but rather as criminals.

Recently, independent MPs Taguhi Tovmasyan, Vardan Atabekyan, and Anna Grigoryan have introduced a draft bill condemning Azerbaijan's policy of obstructing the repatriation of prisoners of war and detained civilians, including women, under Azeri control. Through this bill, independent MPs aim to garner international pressure on Azerbaijan.

In an interview with the newspaper 'Zhoghovurd', co-author of the draft, independent MP Taguhi Tovmasyan, indicated that they plan to conduct the discussion in a closed format. “We will hold it behind closed doors so that the discussion does not become a subject of political exploitation. Our goal is to adopt a condemning statement from the body with the number one mandate in the country, rather than create noise around the topic of prisoners,” she added.

Here is an excerpt from the statement: “The National Assembly of Armenia condemns the obstruction to the repatriation of prisoners of war, hostages, and other individuals held under Azerbaijan's control in the context of Azerbaijan's policies of anti-Armenianism and organized hostility, noting that Azerbaijan’s unacceptable behavior of not returning the prisoners violates international humanitarian law and the international obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan, which should be subject to severe evaluation and condemnation by international organizations, the international community, and human rights organizations.” This information was reported by the newspaper 'Zhoghovurd'.