Mirzoyan says reconciliation hindered by POW issue

PanARMENIAN.Net - Reconciliation with Azerbaijan remains a complex process, given that 19 Armenian detainees are still being held in Baku, unresolved cases of missing persons and enforced disappearances persist, and distorted historical narratives continue to circulate, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said at the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

He added that Armenia nevertheless remains firmly committed to continuing this path toward a forward-looking outcome, recognizing that further institutionalization of peace will create a more favorable environment for addressing the consequences of the conflict.

“After decades of armed conflict and humanitarian crises, Armenia and Azerbaijan took decisive steps toward establishing long-term peace in our region. Last year’s Peace Summit in Washington not only established peace between the two countries but also paved the way for trade, connectivity, and people-to-people contacts. To take this path beyond agreements reached between governments, we are also fostering genuine dialogue and trust among our societies, including the affected populations,” Mirzoyan said.

He also spoke about a powerful wave of hybrid threats, including disinformation, manipulation, and external interference.

“These are targeted, systematic, and unfriendly campaigns aimed at achieving specific objectives, including undermining our citizens’ trust in democratic institutions and the effective realization of human rights. Addressing these challenges has become part of our daily work through the continued strengthening of democratic resilience,” Mirzoyan said.

Earlier, a court in Baku sentenced Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison.

Former Nagorno-Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan was sentenced to life imprisonment. Former Defense Army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan and his former first deputy Davit Manukyan, as well as former Nagorno-Karabakh Foreign Minister Davit Babayan and National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, were also sentenced to life imprisonment. Former presidents Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan received 20-year prison terms.

Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan were sentenced to 19 years, Garik Martirosyan to 18 years, Davit Alaverdyan and Levon Balayan to 16 years, and Erik Ghazaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan and Vasily Beglaryan to 15 years in prison.