Dozens of NGOs Release Statement

Dozens of NGOs have issued an open letter addressed to the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Sholjarić Eger, demanding an urgent visit to Ruben Vardanyan, the former Prime Minister of Artsakh, who is being held in a Baku prison.

The open letter states, “We are writing to you with deep concern regarding the health condition of Ruben Vardanyan, who has been on hunger strike for over a week while being held in a Baku prison, as well as the situation of other Armenian prisoners who are illegally prosecuted for political reasons in Azerbaijan.

According to information disseminated by Azerbaijani media, Ruben Vardanyan's health deteriorated during the court session on February 25; however, despite this, the session continued. Additionally, photographs released show visible injuries on his face and apparent signs of torture.

Considering that he is being prosecuted illegally for political reasons and has been on hunger strike for a significant time, his health may rapidly deteriorate, potentially leading to irreparable consequences. Equally concerning is the status of other Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan who are subjected to unfair treatment and persecution due to their ethnic background.

In this situation, the International Committee of the Red Cross, as an independent humanitarian organization, must act according to its mandate and the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. Therefore, we urge you to conduct an urgent visit to Ruben Vardanyan for the purpose of conducting an independent medical assessment.

Ensure impartial monitoring of his health status and follow up to guarantee that he receives the necessary medical assistance. Address the reasons for his hunger strike and intervene to safeguard his fundamental rights. It is essential to pay particular attention to identifying the causes of his visible facial injuries, for which the Azerbaijani side bears a special responsibility.

Provide an unbiased report on the conditions of detention of Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenian prisoners, as well as their treatment, in accordance with international standards. Make active efforts towards the end of the hunger strike while simultaneously addressing the concerns that have led to this extreme measure. The urgency of this issue must be taken into account, and measures should be taken so that the ICRC’s next visit does not come too late.

Conduct regular visits to all Armenian prisoners being held in Azerbaijani jails to guarantee their fair treatment. Serve as an independent mediator between Armenian prisoners and Azerbaijani authorities to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law and their immediate release. The International Committee of the Red Cross has exceptional authority and mandate in the field of prisoner protection; thus, your intervention in this situation is not only justified but also necessary. Particularly, your role in the monitoring of the treatment of prisoners who are prosecuted for political reasons and violations of international humanitarian law is one of the fundamental principles of the Geneva Conventions.

We hope that this issue will be prioritized and that immediate action will be taken to prevent possible tragic consequences. We await your prompt response.