Christian Solidarity International (CSI) is contesting a claim by Azerbaijan to have released all detainees from the 2020 war with Armenia.
Azerbaijan’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Galib Israfilov, addresses the meeting. csi screenshot
Azerbaijan’s human rights record was subject to a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is currently being held in Geneva. The UPR Working Group issued 319 recommendations, of which Baku accepted 185 and “noted” or did not support 134.
At a meeting of the Council to discuss the UPR outcomes on March 25, numerous non-governmental organizations criticized Azerbaijan for not accepting more recommendations. Among those recommendations Baku did not support were two relating to the release of Armenian prisoners.
“We are alarmed by Azerbaijan’s refusal to support recommendations 44.84 and 44.86, to release Armenian prisoners of war and civilian detainees,” commented CSI’s head of advocacy Joel Veldkamp.
He noted that in its response to the UPR, Azerbaijan states that it “has repatriated all Armenian prisoners of war” from the 2020 Karabakh war to Armenia.
CSI is aware of at least 20 Armenians still being held prisoner by Azerbaijan. These include 12 abducted during Azerbaijan’s blockade and invasion of Nagorno Karabakh in 2023, and eight who were captured during the 2020 Karabakh war.
Vicken Euljekjian is one of those in custody. Azerbaijani forces detained this citizen of Armenia and Lebanon in Nagorno Karabakh on November 10, 2020. Until now, Euljekjian has spent three and a half years in prison. CSI is calling for his release.
CSI is also concerned over Azerbaijan’s treatment of sites of religious importance in Nagorno Karabakh.
“We are deeply concerned that Azerbaijan either noted or did not support four recommendations to protect Armenian religious and cultural heritage sites in Nagorno Karabakh,” said Veldkamp. He pointed to evidence that many of these sites have been damaged and vandalized under Azerbaijani control.
“We urge Azerbaijan to work with UNESCO and the Armenian Apostolic Church to ensure preservation of and access to religious sites in Nagorno Karabakh, so that Armenian Christians may exercise their religious freedoms,” Veldkamp said.
In addition, CSI urges support for the 17 Working Group recommendations regarding the right of return of Nagorno Karabakh’s Armenian population to their homes.
