Gegham Stepanyan on Ruben Vardanyan's Message

In front of the UN office in Armenia, a protest organized by public organizations from Artsakh is underway, demanding the release of Armenian prisoners detained in Baku. Today marks the start of the trial of former military and political leaders of Artsakh in Baku.

Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, stated in a conversation with reporters that all these efforts are aimed at stopping the torture of our compatriots illegally held in Baku and ensuring their return home. “Continuing the struggle is certainly better than inaction, and we must draw the attention of both the Armenian authorities and international organizations to this vital humanitarian issue, generating international pressure to achieve the release of our compatriots,” he said.

According to Stepanyan, Ruben Vardanyan's message reaffirms what human rights defenders have been discussing all along: this cannot be considered a legal process in any sense, as basic human rights protections are being violated, and people are being tortured in Baku's prisons, among other abuses. “The international community will not take any action until clear demands are presented by the authorities of Armenia and diaspora organizations,” noted Stepanyan.

Though Armenian authorities periodically declare that they raise the issue of prisoners' release during negotiations and on all platforms, Stepanyan pointed out that these efforts are at least not visible. Former Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs of Artsakh, Narine Agababyan, added that it is the state's duty to be the foremost advocate for justice and the protection of its citizens, which, unfortunately, is not evident. She emphasized that it is the argument of the entire world; if Armenian authorities do nothing, it is pointless to expect justice protection from other sides. The Armenian authorities must first undertake appropriate actions.

“We will witness yet another staged show in Azerbaijan. Ruben Vardanyan's message was a call for all of us not to fall for the Azerbaijani bait again,” said Agababyan during the conversation with reporters.

It is noteworthy that Baku officially confirms the detention of 23 Armenians, 17 of whom were captured following Azerbaijan's aggression against Artsakh in September. Among them are representatives of Artsakh's military and political leadership, including former Prime Minister Ruben Vardanyan, former commander of the Defense Army Levon Mnatsakanyan, former deputy commander of the Defense Army David Manukyan, former foreign minister David Babayan, Chairman of the National Assembly of Nagorno-Karabakh David Ishkhanyan, and former presidents of Artsakh Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Araik Harutyunyan.