Armenia Raises Issue of 23 Captives at United Nations

The Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations has addressed the issue of the 23 Armenian prisoners illegally detained in Azerbaijan at a high level, emphasizing that concerns about their rights, security, and dignity remain urgent and relevant. This was reported by "Armenpress". This position of the Armenian side was voiced within the framework of the Third Committee of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, during an interactive dialogue with high-ranking officials dealing with torture issues.

At the meeting, which was attended by the Chairman of the UN Committee Against Torture, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, and the Special Rapporteur on Torture, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia first reaffirmed Armenia's commitment to the universal elimination of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The Armenian side expressed deep concern that "in some countries, credible reports of torture continue to be recorded in places of detention and in the context of armed conflicts, often for political motives, which is a clear violation of international law."

In this context, the Armenian Mission drew attention to the recent conclusions of the UN Committee Against Torture, in which the body officially recorded its "serious concern" about the continued detention of 23 Armenians held in Azerbaijan. The Armenian side stressed that these concerns have not only not lost their relevance but continue to deepen.

As stated in the message circulated by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the UN, "these concerns remain relevant, as the situation continues to threaten the rights, security, and dignity of the victims."

Particular emphasis was placed on the worrying fact that Azerbaijan continues to impede the involvement of international structures, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, which further exacerbates the situation and keeps the fate and condition of the prisoners in uncertainty.