If the protection of Armenian citizens in prisons in Azerbaijan, RA Ombudsman

Regarding the response of RA Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan

(Transferred during a phone conversation with the family)

“I managed to get acquainted with the response of RA human rights defender Anahit Manasyan to my request. I will not publicly evaluate his position. I leave it to his conscience. I will just say that I am sincerely sorry. God be your judge.

But after this answer, specific questions arise not only about the institution of human rights defender, but also about the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

If the protection of Armenian citizens in prisons in Azerbaijan is not included in the mandate of the RA Ombudsman, then whose mandate is this? Who is responsible for this issue in our country? When was that person appointed? Why does no one know about it, neither the families of the prisoners, nor the society?

There are people who have been kept in Baku prisons for six years. During this period, the Armenian government was not able to organize a stable and understandable communication mechanism with them, neither through a third party, the embassies of other states in Baku, nor through international organizations.

Why?

How is it that the representatives of Armenia can go to Azerbaijan to discuss commercial, economic and other issues, but they are unable to organize a visit regarding the life, health and legal status of Armenian prisoners? Isn’t the fate of people more important than trade negotiations?

Why hasn’t a normal mechanism been organized to deliver the most necessary things to the prisoners? A number of people have not received anything for more than a year. Many do not have normal clothes. there is no possibility to get what is really needed, taking into account their age, health condition and living conditions.

Instead, if help does arrive at all, it is organized in an informal, non-transparent manner, without taking into account the real needs of the prisoners. People get not what they need, but what someone has decided to give them. this is not help, but mercy.

Among those kept here are elderly people over 70 years old, people with serious health problems. If a toothless person is given dried fruit, it is not help. It is a humiliation.

Is all this known to the Prime Minister?

Who is personally responsible for organizing this process? What is the established procedure? Why is it not preserved? Aren’t you ashamed?

Isn’t it a shame to receive a peace prize, talk about peace and receive applause, when Armenian citizens continue to stay in prisons in Baku, without proper protection, without systematic support, help and control from their own state?

Notify the responsible person. Publish the mechanism of work. Explain what has been done in the last six years.

Or honestly admit that there is no such person in charge, and it makes no sense for prisoners to expect help from their state.

Ruben Vardanyan”

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