About 40 Armenian NGOs address open letter to ICRC president over  sham trials of Armenians in Baku 

ArmInfo. Below is an open letter about 40 Armenian NGOs have addressed to ICRC President Spoljaric Egger: 

Distinguished President Spoljaric Egger,

We are writing to you with deep concern regarding the health  condition of Ruben Vardanyan, who has been on a hunger strike for  over a week while being held in a Baku prison, as well as the  situation of other Armenian political prisoners who are being  illegally prosecuted in Azerbaijan.

According to reports in the Azerbaijani press, during a court hearing  on February 25, Ruben Vardanyan's health deteriorated. However,  despite this, the court session continued. Moreover, in the widely  circulated photographs, visible injuries and apparent traces of  torture can be seen on his face. Given that he is being illegally  prosecuted on political grounds and has been on a prolonged hunger  strike, his condition could rapidly worsen, leading to irreversible  consequences. Equally concerning is the situation of other Armenian  prisoners in Azerbaijan, who are also being prosecuted on political  grounds and subject to unfair treatment and ethnically motivated  persecution.

In this context, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),  as an independent humanitarian organization, is obligated to act in  accordance with its mandate and the fundamental principles of  international humanitarian law. Therefore, we urge you to:

1. Conduct an immediate visit to Ruben Vardanyan to carry out an  independent medical assessment.

2. Ensure impartial monitoring of his health condition and guarantee  that he receives the necessary medical care.

3. Address the causes of his hunger strike and mediate to ensure the  protection of his fundamental rights. In this regard, special  attention should be given to uncovering the causes of the evident  facial injuries, for which the Azerbaijani side bears a particular  obligation.

4. Present an impartial report on the detention conditions and  treatment of Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenian prisoners, in line  with international standards.

5. Take immediate measures to end the hunger strike while  simultaneously addressing the underlying concerns that have led to  this extreme step. It is essential that the ICRC's next scheduled  visit does not come too late.

6. Conduct regular visits to all Armenian prisoners held in  Azerbaijani prisons to ensure their fair treatment.

7. Act as an independent mediator between Armenian prisoners and  Azerbaijani authorities to ensure compliance with international  humanitarian law and advocate for their immediate release.

The ICRC has exclusive jurisdiction and a mandate in the field of  prisoner protection. Therefore, your intervention in this situation  is not only justified but necessary. Your role is particularly  critical in monitoring the treatment of prisoners prosecuted on  political grounds and in preventing violations of international  humanitarian law, which is a fundamental principle of the Geneva  Conventions.

We trust that this issue will be treated as a matter of urgency and  that immediate action will be taken to prevent potentially tragic  consequences.

We look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

"We Are Our Mountains" Development Agency NGO; Artsakh Union  Traveling Doctors; "Artsakh Humanitarian Assistance Initiative"; Rule  of Law NGO; "International and Comparative Law Center" NGO; "Tatoyan"  Center for Law and Justice; "Bari Mama" Charitable NGO; Girls of  Armenia Leadership Soccer - GOALS; "Caroline Cox Rehabilitation  Center" NGO; "301 Land of Wisdom" Foundation; "Against Legal  Arbitrariness" NGO; FreeArmenianHostages Civil Movement; "Babon Ter  A" Women's Initiative; "Center for Youth Public Research" P.O.;  "Union of Reserve Officers of Artsakh" NGO; Haiky Serund NGO;  "Askerantsiner" Community Development Center NGO; "Institute of  People's Diplomacy" NGO; "Greek Community of Artsakh"; "Harmonized  Union of Society and Nature" NGO; "Revived Homeland" NGO; "From  Artsakh to Artsakh" NGO; "Motherhood" NGO; "Council of Elders of  Artsakh" NGO; "Union of Psychologists of Artsakh" professional NGO;  "Power of Mind" NGO; "Mission Armenia" Charitable NGO; KASA Swiss  Humanitarian Foundation Armenian Legal Defense Front; Armenian-  Croatian Community; Tashir Charitable Foundation; Azhdahak Social  Environmental Center; Kapan Civic Youth Center civic initiative; ARK  Armenia; "Arpi" NGO;