MP urges PACE to address Armenian captives’ situation in AzerbaijanMarch 17, 2014 - 18:24 AMT 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. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. |