Human Rights Defender Presents Delays in Return of Prisoners by Azerbaijan at the UN

During the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council held on March 8, 2021, a special video address by the Human Rights Defender of Armenia was presented. This opportunity is exclusively available to national human rights institutions granted an “A” status by international standards. Prior to the video address, a more comprehensive written report by the Human Rights Defender was submitted to the council.

Both the video address and the written report indicate that during the war from September to November 2020, the Azerbaijani armed forces tortured and subjected Armenian servicemen and civilians to brutal treatment. Furthermore, Azerbaijani servicemen used the same phrases depicting torture and cruel treatment as those found in official Azerbaijani statements.

Crimes motivated by ethnic affiliation against Armenians are encouraged by Azerbaijani authorities, as confirmed by the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights. The video address and written report particularly emphasized the artificial delays imposed by the Azerbaijani authorities in the release and return of prisoners, including servicemen and civilians, in defiance of absolute requirements of international humanitarian law, causing psychological suffering for their families and deep emotional pain for Armenian society.

This specific session was dedicated to discussions with the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.