Armenia`s Ombudsman assures she been active within her mandate, reaching out to international organizations and Azerbaijan`s human rights defender regarding Ruben Vardanyan`s trial

ArmInfo. Armenia's Ombudsman Anahit Manasyan assured journalists that she has not been inactive. Within the framework of her mandate, she has contacted international partners to provide information about the trial of Armenian prisoners in Baku, in particular the well-known businessman, philanthropist, and former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.

 During a briefing after the government meeting on February 27, she  stated that the Ombudsman's Office has been monitoring the situation  from the very first day, including studying materials in various  languages to understand what opportunities can be used within its  mandate. However, since  most international partners' activities are  advisory in nature,  Manasyan noted that she cannot provide any  details of these discussions, based on ethical principles. "If  necessary, I will make a public statement," the human rights activist  said. 

When asked by journalists why the Ombudsman does not contact her  Azerbaijani counterpart on this issue in order to personally see  Ruben Vardanyan and assess his condition, Manasyan assured that she  had addressed the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan in the first days of her  tenure. "They did not react in any way, which shows this country's,  its officials' attitude towards human rights issues. I have  emphasized  that these matters are humanitarian  and human rights  issue, making it possible to  hold discussions. In this context, I   don't consider it very right not to respond at all, as this  communication would help resolve many issues," Manasyan said.