20 October 2020, 10:37
Baku rights defenders present custody details of prisoners of war
The wounded Armenian soldiers can be held in Azerbaijan until the end of hostilities, Avaz Gasanov, the head of the Society for Humanitarian Studies, has stated. While in custody, the prisoners have the right to contact their relatives, said Novella Djafaroglu, the head of the Society for the Protection of Women's Rights.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Armenian military servicemen, Areg Sargsyan and Narek Amirdjanyan were captured on September 27. On October 17, they called their parents and informed them that they were in the hospital.
Avaz Gasanov has explained that according to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, Azerbaijan has the right to keep captured soldiers until the end of hostilities. However, there are alternative options for their liberation – a manifestation of goodwill and unilateral transfer or exchange of prisoners of war by the parties.
The Azerbaijani Government cooperates with the Red Cross allowing its representatives to visit the detainees, and ensures prisoners' communication with their relatives, Novella Djafaroglu has added. According to her story, Azerbaijan complies with its international obligations for the humane treatment of prisoners of war.
Earlier, Arman Tatoyan, the Ombudsperson of Armenia, accused Azerbaijani militaries of beheading a prisoner of war.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 19, 2020 at 07:37 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Faik Medjid Source: CK correspondent