Ombudsman: processes involving Armenians captives in Baku violate international law

PanARMENIAN.Net - Processes concerning ethnic Armenians detained in Azerbaijan violate fundamental human rights and international legal norms, said Armenia’s Human Rights Defender, Anahit Manasyan.

According to the Ombudsman's office, these individuals face systemic rights violations, including arbitrary detention and denial of fair trial standards.

“All proceedings involving Armenians in Baku blatantly disregard universal principles of human rights and international legal standards. Monitoring reveals that even before detention, they were labeled ‘criminals’ at the highest levels of Azerbaijani authority,” the statement noted. Furthermore, hate speech, insults, and incitement to violence against Armenians continue to spread in Azerbaijani media and online platforms.

The Ombudsman's office emphasized that state-sponsored ethnic hatred and the presumption of guilt undermine the legitimacy of the so-called trials in Baku, which fail to meet international fair trial standards. Prominent human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and the UN Committee Against Torture, have expressed concerns over the mistreatment of detained Armenians, including reports of torture and abuse.

The right to a fair trial, enshrined in numerous international documents, requires respect for the presumption of innocence. However, ethnic Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan are denied effective legal representation and adequate interpretation services, further violating their rights.

“The Ombudsman urges national and international actors to take immediate steps to address these issues. Under her mandate, she will continue engaging relevant bodies to ensure action is taken,” the statement added.

Baku has acknowledged holding 23 Armenian captives, including Ruben Vardanyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, and former Artsakh presidents. Vardanyan, detained since September 2023, stated on January 16 that he has provided no testimony other than his name and asserted that documents attributed to him were falsified under pressure.