ArmInfo.he international community must ensure the prompt return of all prisoners. This was stated by the head of the EU - Armenia Friendship Group, member of the European Parliament Lukas Furlas at the discussions on "The fate of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan" in the European Parliament.
"The tragedy of missing persons, similar to the one that has affected Cyprus since 1974, should not be repeated in Nagorno-Karabakh," he said.
In turn, the Executive director of the European office < Ai dat> Egine Evinyan stressed that the retention of Armenian prisoners by Azerbaijan a few months after the end of the war is an act of prolonging the war from a psychological point of view. At the same time, she added that the Armenian Diaspora is disappointed by the passive and silent position of European countries on the urgent humanitarian issue. "Europe can and should strive for more, including for its own credibility, strength and viability. We very much hope that the European Parliament, as a whole, will finally also express its position on the Armenian prisoners and call on Azerbaijan to immediately release the Armenian prisoners and prisoners of war, " concluded the Executive Director of the EAFJD.
According to the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy, during the conference, it was stressed that the detention and ill-treatment of Armenian prisoners by Azerbaijan is a war crime that violates the obligations under the Geneva Convention of 1949. It was also noted that by clearly violating the Convention and the basic principles of human rights, Azerbaijan is using this too sensitive humanitarian issue for political gain. The release of all prisoners of war, hostages and other detainees is stipulated in the ceasefire declaration signed on November 10, 2020 by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. The Armenian side returned all the prisoners of war.
As previously reported by ArmInfo, the discussions on "The fate of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan" were initiated by the head of the EU-Armenia friendship group, member of the European Parliament Lukas Furlas. The speakers were Lukas Furlas, Head of the Delegation for Relations with the South Caucasus in the European Parliament Marina Kaljurand, RA Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan and Executive Director of the European Office < Ai dat> Eghine Evinyan.