Wednesday, June 30 2021 17:48

ArmInfo.The ALC (based in Washington DC) and the ICLC (based in Yerevan, Armenia) have thus far filed nearly 100 cases with the ECHR to ensure both the safety and wellbeing of the POWs held captive and to demand their immediate  release. The ALC and ICLC, which partnered in January 2021 to  represent identified Armenian Prisoners of War (POWs) unlawfully held  captive by Azerbaijan, have continued to be leaders in the movement  to obtain the release of Armenian POWs.  The Central Bureau of <Hay  Dat> reports.

To date, the ECHR has reviewed extensive documentation, videos and  photographs to verify the captivity for each individual and in  certain cases, granted requests for "interim measures" to protect the  health and safety of the individual POWs. The ALC and ICLC continue  to document and collect information provided by families of captives  as well as review footage to track possible sightings of POWs in  captivity.  Azerbaijan's seizure of Armenian POWs, including innocent  civilians and combatants, both during and after hostilities, and the  pattern of abuse, torture, and in some cases, murder, violate the  laws of warfare according to the Fourth Geneva Convention.  

ALC's advocacy on behalf of Armenian POWs includes meeting with  international organizations and government representatives to  increase pressure on Azerbaijan. 

"We encourage the United States and European governments, along with  international mediating organizations and entities, to maintain  pressure on Azerbaijan to release all Armenian POWs in accordance  with the Geneva Conventions and the terms of the November 2020  trilateral statement. However, ALC is deeply concerned by the  misguided efforts to appease Aliyev by following the distorted  narrative that unlawfully held Armenian POWs are mere detainees. This  language serves only to embolden a belligerent dictator and puts  innocent lives at risk," stated ALC chairperson Kenneth Hachikian.   The ALC in partnership with ICLC will continue to pursue the release  of all unlawfully held Armenian POWs and will further pursue justice  for the 19 Armenian POWs who were unlawfully taken hostage by  Azerbaijan alive and have died in captivity. "Azerbaijan will be held  accountable for the deaths of Armenians unlawfully held in captivity  both during the Artsakh war and after the cessation of hostilities,"  stated Hachikian.  

It should be noted that the Azerbaijani authorities, not only in  violation of all agreements, have been holding Armenian prisoners of  war and civilians captured during the last 44-day war for 8 months  already, but have also perpetrated illegal trials over them.  Every  day, groups of 13-16 people stand before an Azerbaijani court on  fictional grave charges. Today, 27 Armenian prisoners of war at once  were brought before an Azerbaijani court. To note, these actions of  Baku run counter to the obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan within  the framework of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020.  According to clause 8 of this document, the exchange of prisoners of  war was to be carried out on the principle of "all for all", but  Azerbaijan is speculating on this issue in every possible way and is  trying to get political dividends.