Lawyer: Not a single anti-torture group has been allowed to visit Armenian prisoners

23 Armenians are officially confirmed by Azerbaijan to be in its custody, says human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakyan, who represents Armenian prisoners of war and their families at the ECHR.

“Five of them were captured in 2020, while 18 others were taken captive in 2023,” she said in her speech at the conference “The Impact of Azerbaijan’s Aggression on Human Rights and Environmental Protection,” a side event of COP29 organized independently in Armenia on Thursday.

Sahakyan pointed out that they are called “captives” or “hostages” by experts.

“The term “hostage” correctly describes their status because their release is not related to the conflict, but is used as a leverage for political games,” Sahakyan said.

Eight out of 23 Armenians illegally held in Baku are Artsakh’s former military and political leaders.

“Their release requires political, diplomatic and legal efforts. Not a single international organization fighting against torture has ever been allowedto visit Armenian prisoners. Their communication with the external world is ensured only through ICRC. Incidentally, during different stages of the conflict even ICRC’s visits were blocked,” she added.