Azerbaijani Attacks Accompanied by Brutalities and Decapitations: Special Report

Azerbaijani attacks have been accompanied by brutalities and decapitations. This is stated in a special report by Armenia's Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan presented at the OSCE's High-Level Forum on Security Cooperation.

In his speech on April 28, 2021, Tatoyan addressed Azerbaijani armed attacks against Artsakh, during which targeted strikes were made against the civilian population. Women and children were specifically targeted, violating international human rights norms.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan has initiated a war, grossly violating direct UN Security Council demands for an immediate cessation of hostilities, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Azerbaijan has utilized banned cluster munitions, targeting settlements and the civilian population of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). The Defender emphasized that residents of Armenia's Syunik and Gegharkunik regions have also been killed and injured due to Azerbaijani armed attacks.

The Azerbaijani armed assaults have been marked by inhumane and brutal treatment, including decapitations and torture, of both prisoners of war and civilian captives. The Defender's office has investigated, translated, and analyzed over 300 videos of war crimes committed by Azerbaijani armed forces, including live decapitations, mutilations, and instances of torture and inhumane treatment. All evidence has been sent to international human rights organizations.

Tatoyan stated that the highest authorities of Azerbaijan continue a state-sponsored policy of hatred, enmity, racism, and fascism against Armenians. An example of this is the opening of the so-called 'exhibition-park' in Baku, concerning the war from September to November 2020. He drew attention to the fact that mannequins of Armenian soldiers at that site are specifically displayed in a degraded state, and the park is open even to young children.

Arman Tatoyan noted that unfortunately, all these facts have not yet received appropriate recognition from the international civilized community, and the rule proclaimed in the UN’s '2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development' that 'no one should be left behind and no right should be neglected' has not become a principle that protects real people in real life due to political reasons affecting the protection of human rights.

The purpose of the meeting was to present issues regarding the implementation of international humanitarian law, particularly the methods of reporting violations and the challenges in the modern world. The importance of informing the public and specific groups about the general principles and regulations of international humanitarian law was also discussed during the meeting.

Arman Tatoyan emphasized that all the facts recorded in his speech are based on objective and verifiable evidence obtained from the fact-finding activities of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia as a constitutional independent institution.

The event organized by the OSCE Forum on Security Cooperation included representatives from OSCE member states, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Armenia's Ministry of Defense, and others.