Former State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Ruben Vardanyan has sent a message to Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan, addressing the situation of Armenian detainees and proposing concrete steps. The message was conveyed during a phone conversation with his family.

He urged the ombudsman to consider the possibility of visiting Baku and questioned why none of the members of Armenian delegations visiting Baku on economic and other matters have met with detainees.

“Dear Ms. Manasyan, I am addressing you from prison, taking into account a number of circumstances that, in my view, require the active and consistent involvement of the institution you lead.

Recently, I met with Azerbaijan’s Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva. During the meeting, I raised a number of specific issues—living conditions, medical care, legal, humanitarian and diplomatic matters—related to my detention and that of other Armenian prisoners. These issues directly affect the safety, health and dignity of those in custody. During our conversation, Azerbaijan’s ombudsman noted that the possibility of your visit to Baku had already been discussed, and the Azerbaijani side had expressed readiness to facilitate it. However, this initiative has not yet been implemented.

Citizens of Armenia have long been held in Azerbaijani prisons without meetings with family members and without independent monitoring, including by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Under these conditions, the institution responsible for protecting the rights of Armenian citizens has not demonstrated initiative.

Despite the absence of diplomatic relations between the countries, negotiations on economic issues are ongoing, with Armenian representatives participating in Baku. Therefore, why are issues concerning the life, health and rights of detainees not on Yerevan’s official agenda, and why has none of the delegation members visited the prisoners?

Given the above, I ask you to consider the possibility of your visit to Baku, as well as, under appropriate conditions, visits by relatives of other Armenian prisoners. My wife, Veronika Zonabend, is ready to take part in such an initiative and visit Baku. Presumably, family members of other detainees would also be willing. Such a delegation should be institutional and consistent, with the political support of Armenia’s prime minister, who is accountable to citizens.

The issues I raised with Azerbaijan’s ombudsman require coordination between the ombudsmen of the two countries. The absence of such coordination effectively blocks the only humanitarian channel.

In this regard, I ask you to publicly answer the following questions:

Is the possibility of organizing an official visit to Baku with the participation of relatives of Armenian detainees being considered?

How does your institution plan to coordinate work with Azerbaijan’s ombudsman on humanitarian issues concerning Armenian citizens?

What measures has your institution taken since the moment of detention to protect the rights of Armenian detainees?

I believe that in the current situation, it is crucial to activate all humanitarian and legal mechanisms as soon as possible. Ignoring the interests of Armenian citizens illegally detained in Azerbaijan is incompatible with the state’s obligations toward its own citizens,” Vardanyan’s message says.

A Baku court 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 deputy Davit Manukyan, as well as former 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 sentences. Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan were sentenced to 19 years, Garik Martirosyan to 18, Davit Alaverdyan and Levon Balayan to 16, and Erik Ghazaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Vasily Beglaryan to 15 years.