Azerbaijan protests at Human Rights Watch report
By Vafa Ismayilova
Azerbaijan's Committee against Torture has protested against the Human Rights Watch's claims alleging that Azerbaijan does not treat POWs in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, news sources have reported.
"We regret to state that the latest report of this organization, which refers to the cruel treatment of Armenian prisoners of war in Azerbaijan, is biased and does not reflect reality," the committee said in a statement of protest.
It added that representatives of the Azerbaijan Committee against Torture after the First Karabakh War and until now have repeatedly visited families who voluntarily crossed into the territory of Azerbaijan, as well as persons who surrendered by raising a white flag, captured military saboteurs and civilians, held individual meetings with them and inquired about the conditions of their treatment.
Biased statements by HRW
"We strongly declare that these POWs were treated in full compliance with the requirements of the Geneva Conventions. However, despite the fact that dozens of criminal cases were initiated in connection with torture, cruel and degrading treatment of Azerbaijani prisoners of war and hostages held in Armenia, many international organizations have closed and continue to close their eyes to these facts. Unfortunately, the Armenian side has repeatedly used torture, degrading treatment and punishment against Azerbaijani prisoners of war," the statement added.
It noted that for some reason, the Human Rights Watch which "disseminates such biased statements is not interested in the footage of the torture of Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev, who were taken prisoner while visiting their native lands, as well as the video footage released by the Armenian side about torture and ill-treatment of Azerbaijani servicemen who were wounded and taken prisoner by the Armenians during the Second Karabakh War".
The statement reiterated that such organizations, covering up Armenia's crimes and spreading slanderous information about Azerbaijan, "serve the interests of Armenians and try to put pressure on our country".
Azerbaijan committed to international norms
Earlier, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also rejected the Human Rights Watch's claims regarding Armenian POWs.
It said that Azerbaijan is committed to upholding international norms including international humanitarian and human rights law.
“As such, we reject the claims from the Human Rights Watch that POWs were not treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions,” the ministry said.
“We regret that the recent report by HRW on alleged cases of mistreatment of Armenian POWs is one-sided, and falls short of providing an objective situation. The systematic nature of such reports based on unsubstantiated arguments and unchecked facts casts doubt on their validity,” the ministry added.
“Armenian POWs and civilians detained in Azerbaijan were treated in accordance with the requirements of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, they were not subjected to torture, humiliation and inhuman treatment, and they were provided with the necessary medical care. Each of them underwent a medical examination during their detention. The examination did not reveal any traces of injuries (except for injuries received in combat operations),” the statement noted.
“Contrary to claims that POWs remain in custody, Azerbaijan has returned all Armenian POWs to Armenia. This was agreed under the Trilateral Statement of 10 November 2020,” said the ministry.
“While detained, beginning from October 2020, Armenian POWs and civilians were provided with regular visits by representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross and telephone and video calls with family members were facilitated,” the ministry added.
It stressed that representatives of the Ombudsman's Office of Azerbaijan regularly reviewed the conditions of POWs by visiting their places of detention.
Ill-treatmeant of Azerbaijani POWs, civilian detainees
“Azerbaijan has opened criminal investigations against those allegedly linked to cases of abuse. Despite repeated requests and numerous allegations Armenia has not launched any investigations into the cases of degrading treatment of Azerbaijani POWs and detained civilians,” the statement added.
It reiterated that the Armenian government "has attempted to confuse the context in which arrests have been made. Following the end of the conflict, marked by the signing of the Trilateral Statement of 10 November 2020, anyone detained in Azerbaijan cannot be considered POWs”.
“Those sent by Armenia to the territory of Azerbaijan with the aim of engaging in sabotage and terrorist activities in the period after the signing of the mentioned trilateral statement, are not and cannot be considered as POWs in accordance with international humanitarian law and are liable under the criminal law of Azerbaijan. Detainees are being treated in accordance with international human rights law, and Azerbaijani law upholding their rights,” the ministry said.
To reiterate, Azerbaijan has returned all detainees classified as POWs.
The Azerbaijani government calls on HRW to turn its attention to the testimonies of the ill-treatment of Azerbaijani POWs and civilian detainees by Armenia, as well as thousands of missing Azerbaijanis.
"As a result of the first Karabakh War, 3,890 Azerbaijanis went missing and their fate still remains unknown. These missing people were comprised of 3,171 militaries and 719 civilians (including 71 children, 267 women, 326 elderly). According to the witnesses of 1,480 former Azerbaijani POWs, in a grave violation of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the Azerbaijani POWs were tortured, ill-treated and held in degrading conditions. Criminal investigations proved that 35 people were responsible for degrading treatment and torture against the Azerbaijani POWs and detainees. The names of those responsible were presented to Interpol," the ministry said.
It stressed that there are also numerous evidences, including video materials showing the mistreatment of the Azerbaijani POWs by the Armenian Armed Forces during the latest military operations, which were widely disseminated in social media.
"All POWs and civilians previously detained in Armenia and later returned to Azerbaijan underwent a forensic medical examination and were questioned about the conditions of their detention. Expert opinions, personal statements, and other materials confirmed that the vast majority of detainees were subjected to physical torture and inhumane treatment," it added.
The ministry underlined that unlike Azerbaijan, the Armenian government has refused to investigate these allegations.
“We call the relevant international institutions to refrain from such a one-sided stance and ensure complete impartiality in compiling reports with regard to the post-conflict situation in the region,” the ministry added.
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