UN Committee against Torture is alarmed by extra-judicial killings,  torture and ill-treatment of Armenians by Azerbaijanis during armed  conflicts

ArmInfo. The UN Committee against Torture (CAT) has published findings on the implementation of the 

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by Austria, Azerbaijan, Finland, Honduras, Liechtenstein and North Macedonia.

The UN Committee against Torture (CAT) today issued its findings on 

Austria, Azerbaijan, Finland, Honduras, Liechtenstein, and North 

Macedonia, after reviewing the six States parties in its latest 

session.

According to the website of the Office of the United Nations High 

Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the findings contain the 

Committee's main concerns and recommendations on each country's 

implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, 

Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 

Regarding Azerbaijan, key highlights include: "The Committee was 

alarmed by alleged extra-judicial killings, torture, and 

ill-treatment of national and ethnic Armenians during armed conflict 

and anti-terrorism operations, and the perceived lack of 

investigations and prosecutions of these allegations. It also 

expressed concerns over the continued detention of 23 individuals of 

Armenian ethnic or national origin for terrorism and related 

offences. The Committee urged Azerbaijan to state at the highest 

levels that any violations of international humanitarian law and 

human rights law are unacceptable. It also called for independent, 

impartial, transparent, and effective investigations into the 

allegations of serious violations and urged the State party to bring 

those responsible to justice.

The Committee was concerned about allegations that human rights 

defenders and journalists continue to face physical and judicial 

harassment, and in some cases, are subjected to torture and 

ill-treatment in Azerbaijan. It was troubled by the shrinking civic 

space in the country, recalling that a free and vibrant civil society 

was key to prevention of torture and ill-treatment. The Committee 

called on the State party to ensure an enabling environment for human 

rights defenders and journalists to carry out their work, free from 

threats, reprisals, violence, and other forms of harassment."

Let us note that the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and 

hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons is still not known. According to 

experts, there are several hundred of them. Among those held in 

Azerbaijani captivity are 8 former and current representatives of the 

military-political leadership of Artsakh. These are former Presidents 

of Artsakh Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, 

former Minister of Foreign Affairs David Babayan, as well as Speaker 

of Parliament David Ishkhanyan, ex-commander of the Artsakh Defense 

Army, General Levon Mnatsakanyan, General David Manukyan and 

ex-Minister of State Ruben Vardanyan.

During the 2020 aggression against Artsakh and subsequent attacks, 

Azerbaijan committed war crimes.  Hundreds of horrifying video 

footage of torture of Armenians, including women and the elderly, 

have spread around the World Wide Web.