Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan ‘political hostages’ held for specific reasons – lawyer
The Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) being held in Azerbaijani captivity so many months after last year’s heavy war may well be described as political hostages subject to specific political speculations, says Siranush Sahakyan, the legal representatives of Armenian POWs to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
The lawyer made the remark at a public debate today, addressing the recent repatriation of 15 captives in exchange for several minefield maps. “Demining activities are, of course, very important from the humanitarian point of view, and I believe the Republic of Armenia realizes its importance, as we have always demonstrated a constructive approach to such matters,” she said, blaming Baku for using the language of blackmail.
Meantime, Sahakyan highlighted the cost-effectiveness of the swap, noting that a full-scale demining process would cost Baku millions of US Dollars (coupled with the considerably long period of time required for the completion of the necessary activities).
“My personal opinion is that those maps will not essentially matter to Armenia after the handover of those territories. We have never been guided by the psychology of invigorating ourselves with the innocent victims of Azerbaijan,” she said, re-emphasizing at the same time Azerbaijan’s obligation to ensure the POWs’ return.
The lawyer said she doesn’t think that Armenia has exerted serious efforts towards facilitating the necessary legal procedures. In her words, the government’s activities to that effect are in a way a kind of “straitjacket” in the political processes.
“I don’t think anyway that the political reaction to the crimes of Baku is really adequate as almost eight months after the war, we do not have available officialized figures regarding the Armenian prisoners of war,” she added.
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