UN human rights chief calls for release of Armenian POWs

PanARMENIAN.Net - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called for the immediate release of Armenians arbitrarily detained in Azerbaijan. The statement was shared by the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN Office in Geneva on its Facebook page.

During the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 3, Türk highlighted the issue of arbitrary detentions in Azerbaijan, including that of ethnic Armenians, in his comprehensive report.

"They must be released immediately, and their right to a fair trial must be fully respected," he stated.

Türk also noted that he is closely monitoring the ongoing peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, expressing hope that they will "lead to truth, healing, and reconciliation," and reaffirming his readiness to support the process.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry issued a statement emphasizing its continued efforts to draw international attention to the plight of Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and other detainees in Azerbaijan, as well as to the staged trials marred by severe legal violations and signs of torture.

Human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakyan has reported that recent photographs of former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan show visible injuries on his body. Vardanyan has been on a hunger strike for a week. During his last court hearing, his health deteriorated sharply, and photos taken during the session revealed injuries on his face. Despite this, the court forced him to attend the hearing. His international lawyer previously warned that Vardanyan’s life is in serious danger.