Your trusted source

Over two dozen Armenian human rights NGOs and individual defenders have issued a joint appeal to international organizations and foreign ambassadors in Azerbaijan, urging them to monitor the upcoming trials of Armenian detainees, scheduled to begin in Baku, Azerbaijan on January 17.

The appeal was addressed to high-ranking officials and prominent organizations, including the United Nations Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European Commission, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Fair Trials, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, and other key stakeholders. Additionally, the letter was sent to the ambassadors to Azerbaijan from the United States, France, Great Britain, and several other nations.

“We, human rights defenders and representatives of Armenian civil society, express our grave concern over the ongoing detention and criminal proceedings against Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) and civilian detainees currently held in Azerbaijan. Given the severity of the charges and the extensive violations of human rights observed during these legal proceedings, we formally request international monitoring to ensure that principles of justice and fair trials are upheld for Armenian defendants,” the letter states.

The appeal highlights significant concerns regarding Azerbaijan’s judicial processes, particularly in cases involving Armenian detainees. The letter underscores that these trials have been marred by severe procedural violations, including: a presumption of guilt without evidence, denial of access to case files in a language the defendants understand, inadequate legal representation, complete absence of the right to an independent and impartial tribunal.

Moreover, the letter notes that legal aid provided by Azerbaijan lacks independence and effectiveness and independent lawyers are intimidated and obstructed from performing their duties.

“These fabricated cases and show trials not only undermine the rights of the accused but also perpetuate state-sponsored Armenophobia and hate propaganda against Armenians, as documented by international human rights organizations,” the letter warns. It further emphasizes that Azerbaijan’s judiciary has long been criticized for its lack of independence, with substantial evidence pointing to its subordination to the executive branch, rendering it an instrument of state power rather than an impartial arbiter of justice.

“We appeal to you with a request to immediately cooperate with the Azerbaijani authorities to organize independent monitoring and publication of the outcomes of the ongoing and upcoming trials involving Armenian detainees. This monitoring must include unrestricted access to the trials and ensure public availability of their results. Such oversight is crucial to ensuring that the legal rights of ethnic Armenian POWs and detainees are safeguarded, that they receive fair trials, and that international standards of justice and impartiality are upheld,” the letter concludes.

The letter has been signed by:

International and Comparative Law Center NGO
Union for Protection of the Interests and Rights of the Artsakh People NGO
Protection of Rights without Borders NGO
Democracy Development Foundation
Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center
Helsinki Citizens' Assembly — Vanadzor
Law Development and Protection Foundation
Peace Dialogue NGO
Public Journalism Club NGO
"For Equal Rights" Educational Center NGO
Helsinki Association for Human Rights NGO
Disability Rights Agenda NGO
Women's Support Center NGO
Centre for Community Mobilization and Support NGO
Tufenkian Foundation
Human Rights Defender Ara Ghazaryan
Human Rights Defender Philippe Kalfayan
Human Rights Defender Arpi Avetisyan
Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan