Armen Sarkissian Sends Letters to the Secretaries General of the Council of Europe and the OSCE Regarding Armenian Captives

Continuing to draw the attention of international partners to the urgent issue of Armenian military captives and civilians held in Azerbaijan, the President of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, has sent letters to Maria Peichinovitch-Buric, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Helga Maria Schmid, the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), emphasizing that Armenia expects support from international partners for the prompt return of all Armenian military captives and civilians held by Azerbaijan.

Highlighting that 2020 was a difficult year for Armenia not only due to COVID-19 but also due to the much heavier consequences of the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh on September 27, with the active support and direct involvement of Turkey, President Sarkissian stated: “Despite repeated calls from the international community to immediately cease the war, Azerbaijan’s military-political leadership systematically and deliberately targeted the civilian population and infrastructure, grossly violating human rights and norms of international humanitarian law. This led to the loss of thousands of young lives, thousands being disabled, the displacement of the population, and the destruction of Armenian historical and cultural heritage.”

He pointed out that during and after the war, Armenian servicemen and civilians were captured, subjected to torture, and experienced inhumane treatment by Azerbaijan. Emphasizing that addressing the humanitarian situation in Artsakh is a primary concern requiring urgent attention from the international community, the Armenian President deemed it extremely important for the exchange of all captives and civilians to be carried out based on the principle of “all for all,” which is currently neglected by Azerbaijan.

Currently, Azerbaijan continues to refuse and obstruct the return of detained civilians and military captives, grossly violating human rights and international humanitarian law. In this context, President Sarkissian pointed to the work and fact-finding activities conducted by the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, which consistently raises the concerns and existing issues of the Armenian side in international forums.

Noting that Armenia expects support from international partners for the prompt return of all captives, the Armenian President urged the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the OSCE to take all necessary measures in accordance with international humanitarian law to ensure the immediate release and safe return of captives and civilians.