Tim Loughton Appeals to the UK Government Following Discussion with the Human Rights Defender on Armenian Prisoners of War

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Armenia, Tim Loughton, representing all political parties in the UK Parliament, has appealed to the UK government regarding the issue of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan after a meeting with the Armenian Human Rights Defender. This was reported by the staff of the Armenian Human Rights Defender.

The meeting, attended by senior British officials, was organized by the UK Armenian Genocide Committee on March 8, during which Arman Tatoyan detailed the international humanitarian and human rights regulations that call for the immediate release and safe return of prisoners. He highlighted that presenting them as "terrorists" is a gross violation of international humanitarian law and prisoners' rights, given that this concerns an ongoing armed conflict.

The defender also presented information about war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Azerbaijani armed forces during the war from September to November 2020, including beheadings, torture, and desecration of bodies.

Addressing processes related to Armenia's borders, Arman Tatoyan introduced his new concept, which proposes the establishment of a demilitarized security zone in Syunik to ensure the safety of the people. He provided concrete evidence and facts on which this new approach is based.

On March 11, Baroness Caroline Cox, who had previously visited Artsakh with the Armenian Human Rights Defender and documented war crimes perpetrated by Azerbaijan, raised the issue of the inhumane treatment of Armenian prisoners of war and the use of prohibited weaponry during the conflict during a parliamentary question and answer session.