Armenian Оmbudsman raises POW issue with OSCE delegation

PanARMENIAN.Net - On November 24, Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan met with Luís Graça, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Special Representative on the South Caucasus, to discuss human rights issues, particularly the arbitrary detention of Armenian citizens in Azerbaijan. She emphasized that these detentions raise serious human rights concerns, according to the Human Rights Defender’s Office.

Manasyan highlighted various legal concerns regarding the rights of individuals forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, the need for due process guarantees in criminal proceedings, and the criteria for lawful application of detention.

She also outlined the main priorities of her work, pointing out key human rights challenges in Armenia.

The discussion addressed broader human rights issues, including discrimination, hate speech, and intolerance, with emphasis on measures being taken to counter these phenomena.

The two sides also explored ways to deepen cooperation and enhance joint efforts in protecting and promoting human rights.

According to Azerbaijani media, prosecutors have demanded life sentences for several former Nagorno-Karabakh officials, including ex-President Arayik Harutyunyan, former Foreign Minister David Babayan, and former army commanders. Other Armenian detainees face sentences ranging from 16 to 20 years.