ArmInfo.The issue of repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians continues to be on the agenda of the international humanitarian organization and the Armenian authorities. Thus, Head of Communication Programs of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Armenia Zara Amatuni said that the ICRC representatives periodically visit the Armenian captives and hostages in Azerbaijan, study the conditions of their detention, establish contact with their family members.
"The opportunity is provided for the exchange of family information, news, as well as Red Cross messages, video messages and phone calls are used. We cannot make public the number of people we visit, but I can confirm that throughout the entire period of captivity we are in touch with every family," said Amatuni, "Lurer" reports.
Meanwhile, yesterday, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in an interview with Nouvelles d'Armenie once again stressed that the first priority for the Armenian side is the early return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian hostages. The Minister stated that after the ceasefire, more than 100 prisoners had returned to Armenia. "Nevertheless, in gross violation of the requirements of international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions and the 8th paragraph of the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan has not yet returned all prisoners of war. Armenia is consistently working for the speedy repatriation of our compatriots, and also uses all formats and opportunities for voicing and promoting the issue at the international tribunes, "he noted, adding that the Armenian side raised the problem of prisoners of war and other civilians in the framework of the case against Azerbaijan as well, considered in the International Court of Justice.
He also recalled that the European Parliament, as well as the parliaments of several countries adopted resolutions calling for the return of all Armenian prisoners of war, and the heads of many states, high- ranking clergy, representatives of culture and art, parliamentarians, dozens of human rights defenders and human rights organizations (Human Rights Watch, Freedom House) voiced problem.
To note, there is still no clear data on the number of prisoners of war and civilians held by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan confirms the presence of about four dozen Armenian soldiers. Meanwhile, according to the data of the Armenian side, there are more than one hundred of them. Human rights organizations are convinced that their number may be as high as four hundred.
It is noteworthy 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 almost a year now, but also perpetrated illegal trials over them. It is worth noting that these actions run counter to the obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan within the framework of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020. According to paragraph 8 of this document, the exchange of prisoners of war was to be carried out on the principle of "all for all," however, Azerbaijan speculates on this issue in every possible way and is trying to get political dividends.