Artsakh human rights defender announces protests in front of U.N. office, French, Russia and U.S. embassies in Armenia

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.