ArmInfo.Former human rights defender of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan has posted the following message on his Facebook account:
"Dear fellow countrymen,
"Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) to be held in Azerbaijan in November 2024 actions have been launched in various countries of the world demanding the immediate release of Armenian prisoners and hostages illegally held in Azerbaijan.
"Responding to these actions, on October 11 this year at 11:00, we plan to carry out actions in front of the Armenian office of the UN, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Russia, the French Republic and the United States of America embassies in Armenia, during which letters with the same demand will be transmitted to the address holders.
"The initiative has been joined by the resigning human rights defenders Yuri Hayrapetyan, Ruben Melikyan, Artak Beglaryan, as well as the resigning defenders of RA human rights Arman Tatoyan and Larisa Alaverdyan.
"Launch from the Armenian office of the UN. I expect everyone's participation."
In May 2023, the Armenian authorities reported that Azerbaijan confirmed the fact that it had 33 captured Armenians, but even then human rights activists reported at least 80 detainees.
After the Azerbaijani Armed Forces committed another act of aggression against Artsakh on September 19- 20, 2023, which led to the de-Armenization of the NKR, international law specialist Siranush Sahakyan reported that 55 Armenians were officially held in Azerbaijan, including the military-political leadership of Artsakh. "In particular, 6 civilians, 41 prisoners of war and 8 former political or military figures of the NKR, who are considered political prisoners, are being held hostage in Azerbaijan," the human rights activist explained, adding that this is only official data.
According to her, in addition, the Azerbaijani side has taken over 80 civilians and military personnel captive, and nothing is being done to clarify their fates. Sahakyan noted that the first group, officially confirmed, is in a more protected position, unlike the second group. "Since 2021, there have been no cases where Azerbaijan has officially confirmed the fact of holding persons captured during the 44-day war," she explained.