Despite the ceasefire, reports continue of atrocities perpetrated by Azerbaijani forces on Armenian military and civilian prisoners, Baroness Caroline Cox, a member of the British House of Lords said during hearing on the Nagorno-Karabakh – Question held on January 18 in the House of Lords.
Baroness Cox, in particular, raised the question what assessment the UK Government has made of the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
In response, Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State noted that the Minister for the European Neighbourhood has spoken four times to the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers, most recently in November, when she welcomed the cessation of hostilities. "We recognize that both sides have had to make difficult decisions to ensure the safety and security of their citizens. We of course remain deeply concerned by allegations of war crimes, desecration of cultural heritage and the humanitarian situation, and continue to raise these with all concerned parties," said the minister.
Baroness Cox, next informed that she had visited the region in the aftermath of the war. 'During and since my visit, I have seen videos and photos of mutilations, torture and killings—there have been beheadings of Armenians —and heard of Azeris taking phones from prisoners, filming their torture and killings and sending these back to their families. Will Her Majesty’s Government act with great urgency to ensure that Azerbaijan is called to account for the continuing, well-documented atrocities, or will they allow Azerbaijan to maintain impunity?" the asked.
Minister of State responded that the government continue to raise these issues at the highest level atrocities need to be fully looked at.