Siranush Sahakyan: Azerbaijan’s non-compliance cannot last indefinitely

(Horizon Media / YEREVAN) – Azerbaijan’s continued refusal to fully comply with international court rulings concerning Armenian prisoners cannot be sustained over the long term, according to Siranush Sahakyan, head of the International and Comparative Law Center and the Executive Director of the Armenian Legal Centre for Justice and Human Rights.

Speaking to Sputnik Armenia, Sahakyan pointed to a recent ECHR decision issued on April 9, 2026, in which the Court rejected another request by Azerbaijan and reaffirmed its requirement that Baku provide updated information on detainees. This includes details on their conditions of detention, medical records, and any examinations or treatment received. The Court also set a deadline of August 31 for Azerbaijan to submit the prisoners’ verdicts.

Sahakyan argued that Azerbaijan’s reluctance to implement such rulings reflects a broader, state-level policy rather than isolated instances of non-compliance. However, she warned that this approach carries tangible costs, including reputational damage and mounting political pressure in international forums.

“Resources are being expended in maintaining this stance, and those resources are not unlimited,” she noted, suggesting that continued resistance is unlikely to be sustainable indefinitely.

She added that the evolving dynamics between Armenia and Azerbaijan, combined with potential increases in international political pressure, could eventually prompt a shift in Baku’s approach.

Sahakyan also cautioned against dismissing the role of international law, emphasizing that doing so aligns with narratives promoted by Azerbaijan. Instead, she stressed the importance of maintaining a long-term perspective and continuing efforts to demonstrate the practical impact and relevance of legal mechanisms.