Is This All Known to the Prime Minister? Ruben Vardanian

Ruben Vardanian, in a phone conversation with his family from a Baku prison, conveyed the following: “I managed to get acquainted with the response of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, Anahit Manasyan, to my application. I will not publicly assess her position. I leave it to her conscience. I simply say - I sincerely regret it. God judge you.”

“After this response, specific questions arise not only regarding the office of the Human Rights Defender but also about the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia. If the protection of Armenian citizens in Azerbaijani prisons is not within the mandate of the Armenian Ombudsman, then whose mandate is it? Who is responsible for this issue in our country? When was that person appointed? Why does no one know about it - neither the families of the detainees nor the public?”

“There are individuals who have been held in Baku prisons for six years. During this time, the Armenian government has failed to establish a stable and clear communication mechanism with them - neither through third parties nor through embassies of other countries in Baku or international organizations. Why?”

“How is it that Armenian representatives can travel to Azerbaijan to discuss trade, economic, and other issues but are unable to organize visits concerning the lives, health, and legal status of Armenian prisoners? Is the fate of people not more important than trade negotiations?”

“Why has there not been a proper mechanism set up to deliver the most essential items to prisoners until now? A number of individuals have not received anything for over a year. Many do not have proper clothing; there is no way to obtain what is actually necessary, given their age, health status, and living conditions.”

“Instead, if assistance is indeed delivered, it is organized in an unofficial, non-transparent manner, without taking into account the real needs of the detainees. People receive not what they need but what has been decided to be sent by someone; this is not assistance, but charity. Among those held here are elderly individuals over 70 years of age and those with serious health issues. If a toothless person is given dried fruits, this is not assistance. This is humiliation.”

“Is all of this known to the Prime Minister? Who is personally responsible for organizing this process? What is the established procedure? Why is it not being followed? Aren't you ashamed? Isn’t it shameful to receive a peace award, speak of peace, and receive applause while Armenian citizens continue to remain in Baku prisons without proper defense, without systemic support, assistance, and oversight from their own state?”

“Name the responsible person. Publish the working mechanism. Explain what has been done over the past six years. Or honestly admit that there is no such responsible person and that it is futile for the captives to expect assistance from their state,” Vardanian stated.