Armenia prepares new evidence for ECHR and ICC on Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan
The Office of the Representative of Armenia on International Legal Affairs said that it is monitoring the trials against Armenians in Azerbaijan.
YEREVAN /ARКА/ — The Office of the Representative of Armenia on International Legal Affairs said that it is monitoring the trials against Armenians in Azerbaijan.
“In accordance with the established procedure, additional evidence and demands will be submitted to the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice,” the Office said in a statement.
It is noted that in connection with the trials of all Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan, including former Karabakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan, the Office recalls that back in 2021-2024, Armenia filed interstate claims to the ECHR and the ICC to protect the rights of all Armenians accused in Azerbaijan regarding their right to life, protection from torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, the right to a fair trial, freedom and security of person.
In January 2025, photographs and data on the above-mentioned persons were received through the ECHR and handed over to their relatives. In response, on 27 February 2025, Armenia submitted its comments on the information and positions provided by Azerbaijan, requesting more detailed information from Baku. At the same time, the Court’s attention was drawn to the violations that took place during the trial of Ruben Vardanyan, as well as to the deterioration of his health, with a request to provide additional information.
In this context, the Office recalled that the ECHR judgments of 27 September, 3 November, 11 and 23 December 2020, 17 February 2021, 21 November 2023 and 6 November 2024, adopted within the framework of the interim measures procedure, which concern, inter alia, the protection of the rights of detainees, including those in Azerbaijan, remain in force.
“The UN Court’s judgment of 7 December 2021 also remains in force, in which the Court, applying interim measures against Azerbaijan, held that Azerbaijan is obliged to protect all persons detained and present in Azerbaijan during and after the 2020 war from violence and bodily harm, and to ensure their safety and equality before the law. In addition, by its judgment of 12 October 2022, the Court reaffirmed and took note of Azerbaijan’s obligation to ensure compliance with the obligations established by the judgment of 7 December 2021 with respect to all Armenians present in Azerbaijan,” the Office said.
Azerbaijan has officially confirmed that it is holding only 33 Armenian prisoners of war and civilians, but Armenian human rights activists have stated that another 80 Armenians are in captivity.
On January 17, the so-called trial of 15 Armenian prisoners of war began in Baku. Among them are Ruben Vardanyan, former presidents Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan and Arayik Harutyunyan, former parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, former foreign minister Davit Babayan, former defense army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan and his deputy Davit Manukyan.
On February 28, the Armenian Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing concern about the publications from the “trials” of 23 Armenian prisoners, as well as information released by their lawyers, including the lawyer of Ruben Vardanyan. The latter has been on hunger strike for more than a week. According to the lawyers, the Armenian captives are being subjected to torture and their health has obviously deteriorated.
