MP urges PACE to address Armenian captives’ situation in Azerbaijan

PanARMENIAN.Net - PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons discussed the problem of missing persons and POWs during hostilities and frozen conflicts, according to Tert.am.

A member of the Armenian delegation to PACE, Prosperous Armenia faction MP Naira Zohrabyan raised the issue of the Armenian captives tortured in Azerbaijan at the Committee’s March 15 Paris-hosted meeting.

Zohrabyan welcomed the Committee's attention to the problem of missing persons and captives in military conflicts. “We have no right to fully delegate the issue to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) without any involvement on our part,” the Armenian MP said.

"I have no intention question the ICRC’s activities. Yet, the ICRC actions are not always effective enough with Azerbaijan to blame for the fact." the MP noted.

Zohrabyan reminded the Committee about Mamikon Khojoyan, 77, who lost his way and was taken captive by Azerbaijan. She went on to cite the physical and psychological pressure the elderly man was subjected to.

"Khojoyan was returned to Armenia with numerous signs of abuse, including a gunshot wound and fractures, with doctors struggling for his health," she said, dwelling on other Armenians in Azeri captivity.

Zohrabyan reminded the committee of the Armenian shepherd Manvel Saribekyan, who was tortured to death in Azerbaijan, with his body handed over to his parents.

The Armenian MP proposed entrusting the CoE Human Rights Commissioner with greater powers, to enable him to deal with the problem of POWs and captives in Azerbaijan.

Zohrabyan also suggested holding a joint meeting to discuss the situation in the Council of Europe states.