Tuesday, September 28 2021 00:36

ArmInfo. At the next PACE meeting in Strasbourg, the Resolution "On the humanitarian consequences of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict" was adopted.

The Assembly notes that under Article 8 of the Trilateral statement  "An exchange of prisoners of war : is to be carried out" and that  both countries claim to have complied with this. The Assembly however  notes with concern the notification by the European Court of Human  Rights, communicated to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of  Europe on 16 March 2021, in relation to 188 Armenians allegedly  captured by Azerbaijan (some of whom have since been returned to  Armenia). In this connection the Assembly notes that under the Geneva  Convention (III) Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War and  Geneva Convention (IV) Relative to the Protection of Civilian persons  in time of War, both Azerbaijan and Armenia have binding obligations  to repatriate prisoners of war and release civilian persons without  delay after the secession of active hostilities.

The Assembly is deeply concerned about the fate of around 30  Armenians, allegedly seen, filmed or photographed in captivity, with  no indication as to their current whereabouts. The Assembly is  alarmed at allegations made by Armenia that these persons have been  subjected to enforced disappearances and possibly killed; PACE  remains concerned about the detention conditions of around 48  Armenians captured after the Trilateral statement, who are still in  captivity, most of whom have undergone or are undergoing speedy  criminal trials, which may raise fair trial issues under the European  Convention on Human Rights, the Assembly calls on the Azerbaijani  authorities to release all remaining captives and return them to  Armenia without further delay.  PACE encourages the European  Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading  Treatment or Punishment (CPT) to carry out an ad hoc visit,  notwithstanding that the ICRC has regular access.  PACE is also  concerned by the use by Azerbaijan, with Turkey's assistance, of  Syrian mercenaries.

Concerning those from the Nagorno-Karabakh region who either remained  or returned, the Assembly strongly regrets the international  community's absence from the region due to ongoing disagreement  between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the issue of access; in this  sense, having in mind its Resolution 2240 (2018) "Unlimited access to  member States, including 'grey zones', by Council of Europe and  United Nations human rights monitoring bodies" and recalls the legal  obligations on Council of Europe member States to co-operate fully  and in good faith with international human rights monitoring  mechanisms, including those of the Council of Europe and the United  Nations; The Assembly is greatly concerned by the increase in  incidents at various points of the border since May 2021. There have  been deaths and injuries and Armenian soldiers have been taken  captive.  PACE remains concerned, in the light of past destruction,  about the future of the many Armenian churches, monasteries,  including the monastery in Khutavank/Dadivank, cross-stones and other  forms of cultural heritage which have returned under Azerbaijan  control.