Azerbaijani Beheadings of Armenians as a Method to Inflict Psychological Trauma on Their Families, Report

The "Center for International and Comparative Law" NGO, the "Tatulian Foundation for Rights and Justice", the "Arbana" Foundation, and the "Union for the Protection of the Interests and Rights of the People of Artsakh" NGO have published a joint report titled "Violations of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in the Context of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination Against Armenians in Azerbaijan".

According to the Tatulian Foundation, the report was presented to the UN Committee Against Torture on March 18, in response to Azerbaijan's fifth periodic report, which was also submitted to the Committee for the 79th session scheduled to take place between April 15 and May 10.

The report addresses the torture of Armenian servicemen and civilians by Azerbaijan between 2016 and 2019. The incidents discussed in this report reveal a systematic pattern of behavior adopted by Azerbaijan, specifically directed against individuals of Armenian national and ethnic origin.

The documented cases indicate that the beheading of Armenian soldiers and civilians is a widespread method intended to inflict psychological suffering not only on the immediate victims but also on their family members. Moreover, the lack of adherence to standard protocols and the failure to investigate, as well as the absence of punishment for those responsible for the torture, increase the level of impunity among Azerbaijani military forces and society.

Additionally, the report highlights the praise and rewards directed towards criminals by high-ranking officials in Azerbaijan. This action promotes hatred against Armenian citizens and ensures impunity from criminal accountability,” the foundation emphasized.