Justice Ministry to address UN over Baku’s anti-Armenian propaganda

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Ministry of Justice will issue an address to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination over Baku’s anti-Armenian propaganda and discrimination, deputy justice minister Yeghishe Kirakosyan said.

“The statement focuses on the extradition and pardon of Azerbaijani axe-killer Ramil Safarov, along with other facts of discrimination and hatred against Armenians,” he said.

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by its State parties.

Armenian Justice Ministry’s statement will be submitted to the Committee under Article 11 of the Convention.

Ramil Safarov, the Azerbaijani army officer who was serving a life sentence in Hungary for axing to death Armenian Lt. Gurgen Margaryan, was extradited to Azerbaijan and pardoned by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Official Yerevan reacted by suspending diplomatic ties with Hungary. Hungary, however, states that it had sent Safarov back to Azerbaijan after receiving assurances from the Azerbaijani Justice Ministry that Safarov's sentence, which included the possibility of parole after 25 years, would be enforced.

According to some reports, Safarov was extradited to Azerbaijan in exchange for Azeri purchase of Hungarian securities worth Euro 2-3 billion, an information official Budapest denies.

“Hungarian prime minister is “morally bankrupt” and should resign after admitting that he personally approved the transfer of the Azeri axe murderer while knowing the likely consequences,” the leader of the opposition Socialists said earlier.

Attila Mesterhazy said it was clear from Orban’s comments at a news conference on September 11 that he had been aware that Azerbaijan would release the life-sentenced Ramil Safarov after his repatriation.