The long-term detention of Arkady Ghukasyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Bako Sahakyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, Davit Manukyan, Garik Martirosyan, Melikset Pashayan, Davit Alaverdyan, Gurgen Stepanyan, Levon Balayan, Madat Babayan, Vasily Beglaryan, Erik Ghazaryan and Ruben Vardanyan, information about their detention conditions, and their trial that has begun in Baku are causing anxiety and deep concern. Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee on Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs of the Armenia’s Parliament Rustam Bakoyan wrote about this on his Facebook page.
“Mass violations of fundamental human rights are being recorded, which contradict international norms and the principles of a fair trial. The facts prove that the discrimination against representatives of Armenian ethnicity is conditioned by ethnicity.
I consider it necessary to note that according to international norms, the protection of human rights, regardless of ethnicity, is a primary obligation.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms oblige states to ensure the right to a fair trial, the right to be free from torture and degrading treatment.
Violations of human rights cannot be justified under any circumstances, and all states have an obligation to guarantee justice and respect for every individual, regardless of their ethnicity or nationality.
In the coming days, I will have meetings with sectoral specialists and ICRC representatives to assess the current situation and clarify what needs to be done,” the MP wrote.
The trial of the former military-political leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh has begun in Baku.
It is noted that the court will examine a total of 2,548 episodes. A number of false charges have been brought against 15 individuals held in Azerbaijan (Arkady Ghukasyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, Davit Manukyan, Garik Martirosyan, Melikset Pashayan, Davit Alaverdyan, Gurgen Stepanyan, Levon Balayan, Madat Babayan, Vasily Beglaryan, Erik Ghazaryan) on terrorism, financing of terrorism, criminal collaboration, illegal arms trafficking, population displacement, etc.
Former Nagorno-Karabakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan's case is being heard in a separate proceeding.
Several of the charges carry a sentence of up to life imprisonment.
