PanARMENIAN.Net - Relatives and representatives of Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan have called for the activation of the "Protecting Power" mechanism. They addressed a letter to Armenia's Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Swiss Federal Councillor and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis, and President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, requesting action within the framework of international humanitarian law, the Center for International and Comparative Law reports.
The center is headed by Siranush Sahakyan, who represents the interests of Armenian detainees at the European Court of Human Rights.
"We, the relatives and representatives of Armenian detainees unlawfully held in Azerbaijan, express our deep concern over the complete closure of the International Committee of the Red Cross office in Azerbaijan. This has significantly worsened the already dire situation of our relatives, leaving us in deep uncertainty regarding their fate and condition.
The letter states that the closure of the ICRC office has aggravated the detainees' already severe conditions, while their families remain in uncertainty.
"Taking into account the above and recalling obligations under international humanitarian law, we respectfully but firmly call on Armenia to officially to the Swiss government so that it assumes the role of a 'Protecting Power.' This is a necessary and urgent step to ensure the rights, safety, and dignity of our relatives through internationally recognized mechanisms.
We understand that the institution of the 'Protecting Power' has not been applied in recent decades and may seem unusual in the current context. However, the exceptional and unlawful circumstances we face require precisely such extraordinary measures. Azerbaijan continues to isolate Armenian detainees from their families, independent lawyers, and impartial humanitarian organizations, which constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions," the letter states.
It is noted that at least 19 individuals are currently held in Baku, and their relatives stress that the situation has created a serious gap in legal protection, increasing the risks of violence, ill-treatment, and even enforced disappearance.
"Time is of the essence. Continued delays may deepen the suffering of unlawfully detained persons and increase threats to their lives and physical integrity. Therefore, we call on the governments of Armenia and Switzerland to take appropriate steps within their mandates, and to do so promptly. We also urge the International Committee of the Red Cross to support efforts to ensure effective implementation of international law and proper protection of the rights of ethnic Armenians amid ongoing violations," the letter adds.
The Baku court sentenced Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison. Former Nagorno-Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan was sentenced to life imprisonment. Life sentences were also handed to former Defense Army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan and his former deputy Davit Manukyan, as well as former Foreign Minister of Artsakh Davit Babayan and National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan. Former Presidents Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan were sentenced to 19 years, Garik Martirosyan to 18, Davit Alaverdyan and Levon Balayan to 16, and Erik Ghazaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Vasil Beglaryan to 15 years in prison.
Source: PanArmenian.Net
