Ombudsperson demands to name the number of Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan

Armenian authorities should disclose the number of residents who are held captive in Azerbaijan, as this will strengthen the protection of their rights, as well as speed up their return to their homeland, the Armenian ombudsperson, Arman Tatoyan, has stated.

"The rule of law presupposes the disclosure of any data of public importance; by rejecting the publication of such data, the state must explain what legitimate interests it pursues. The state's refusal must be justified," the "News.am" quoted Mr Tatoyan as saying on January 19.

The Ombudsperson has noted that the authorities' explanation of their refusal to name the number of prisoners of war (POWs) by the fact that the issue is "hypersensitive" is unacceptable. "By making this step (revealing the figures), the state could nullify attempts to speculate on this issue, and the possibility to mislead the public with false information," the "Sputnik Armenia" quoted the Ombudsperson as saying on January 19.

Mr Tatoyan has emphasized that the publication of the number of Armenian POWs will, among other things, provide an opportunity to increase the international pressure on Azerbaijan with the aim to release them, increase the level of their protection, and emphasize the respect for their rights and rights of their families.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 20, 2021 at 08:31 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.