Red Cross Ready to Assist in Return of Armenian Prisoners of War, Says ICRC Vice President

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) seizes every opportunity to remind states of their obligations under the Geneva Conventions and is prepared to assist in the return of individuals captured in connection with the 44-day war in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020, with the consensus of the parties involved. This was stated by the ICRC Vice President Gilles Carbonnier in an interview with Armenpress regarding the possibilities of repatriating Armenian prisoners of war held in Azerbaijan.

The ICRC Vice President informed that ICRC representatives visit 'those detained in connection with the escalation of autumn 2020' almost every month, assessing their treatment, conditions of detention, and facilitating their connection with their families.

Gilles Carbonnier also spoke about his visit to Armenia and the ICRC's thirty-year neutral and humanitarian activities in the region. He noted that one of the key issues discussed was the fate of individuals missing during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

On October 22, Gilles Carbonnier and his delegation were received in Yerevan by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan.

“Mr. Carbonnier, what is the main purpose of your regional visit and what outcomes have your meetings with the Armenian Foreign and Defense Ministers and other officials produced?”

“Having engaged in neutral and humanitarian activities in the region for nearly three decades, we recognize that the work does not end even when the fighting stops. People still need support, security, and assistance. Therefore, the ICRC has no alternative but to remain committed to humanitarian principles and to ensure unhindered access to vulnerable communities.”

“Tens of thousands of people need support to restore their living conditions and homes. Tens of thousands are displaced. Thousands are still waiting for news about their missing relatives. Infrastructure has been damaged, including dozens of schools.”

“During my visit, I met with Foreign and Defense Ministers, and we discussed the humanitarian needs of those affected by the recent escalation of the conflict. One of the key topics was the ICRC's readiness to contribute to regional efforts aimed at clarifying the fates of individuals missing due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”

“Has there been any progress regarding missing persons from the first and second wars in Artsakh?”

“Achieving progress in such matters typically requires time. In many cases, overcoming the humanitarian consequences of conflict can take decades. However, our efforts do not cease; we strive to help families in pain to get answers about their missing loved ones.”

“In particular, the ICRC calls on the parties to do everything possible to clarify the fates of individuals missing since the 1990s as well as those missing as a result of the recent escalation.”

“Should we expect progress on the return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Baku after your regional visit?”

“During its humanitarian work in the region over the past thirty years, the ICRC has visited those detained in connection with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. If the parties to the conflict have reached out, we have facilitated the release of detainees or the transfer of human remains to the parties. We periodically visit detainees confirmed by the relevant authorities in connection with the latest escalation of the conflict. We strive to ensure that detainees can maintain contact with their relatives through various means of communication. Private meetings occur with detainees, allowing them to exchange family news via Red Cross messages, video recordings, and phone calls.”

“We are also ready to continue search and retrieval operations in collaboration with the parties and Russian peacekeepers.”

“What, in your opinion, hinders the return of Armenian prisoners despite the requirements of the Geneva Conventions and the trilateral agreement of November 9, 2020?”

“I want to emphasize that the ICRC's mandate does not include negotiating the release of detainees. At the same time, as a neutral and impartial humanitarian organization, we are ready to assist in the return of detainees with the agreement of the parties. We take every opportunity to remind states of their obligations under the Geneva Conventions.”

“According to reports presented by Armenian human rights defenders, Armenian prisoners are subjected to inhumane treatment and systematic physical and psychological torture in Baku. Is the ICRC, including its office in Azerbaijan, taking into account the facts presented by the Armenian side and taking steps to protect the rights of Armenian prisoners?”

“As you may know, ICRC representatives visit those detained in relation to the escalation of autumn 2020 regularly, almost every month. During these visits, the ICRC assesses the treatment of detainees and the conditions of detention, while facilitating the maintenance of contacts with their families. At the same time, according to our organization's protocols, we do not publicly comment on the observations made. Observations and recommendations related to these visits are communicated only to the detaining authorities.”