Nils Muiznieks: Inhuman treatment of POWs is inadmissible

During the plenary session of the PACE today, the deputy of Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) faction of the Armenian parliament Ms. Naira Zohrabian addressed a question to the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznikes concerning Armenian POW Hakob Injighulian held captive in Azerbaijan.

‘Respected Commissioner, I sent you earlier a written inquiry about POW Hakob Injighulian held captive in Azerbaijan. The efforts of the ICRC have produced no results so far. Yet each day in Azerbaijani captive poses a threat to Hakob Injighulian’s life. What can our Assembly and you as CE Commissioner for Human Rights do so that Azerbaijan could send the Armenian POW to the homeland or at least transfer him to a third country? I want to inform you that on March 4 of this year Azerbaijan returned 77-year-old Mamikon Khojoyan who was subjected to inhuman physical and mental tortures in Azerbaijan. Such is Azerbaijan’s style,” Naira Zohrabian said.

Nils Muiznieks replied: “It is important that the sides – Armenia and Azerbaijan continue cooperation with the Red Cross. The CE member states obey the international conventions they have signed, the Geneva Convention and they must respect them. And, of course, no one has the right to show an inhuman treatment of prisoners and POWs. I was in Azerbaijan recently. We did not discuss this issue, but we spoke about observance of human rights. I repeat that no country has the right to show an inhuman treatment of prisoners and POWs. It is inadmissible and blameworthy”.