WASHINGTON, D.C., and YEREVAN—In response to the government of Azerbaijan’s ongoing illegal detention of Armenian prisoners of war and Armenian civilians, the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights (ALC) and the Yerevan-based International and Comparative Law Center (ICLaw) have joined forces in the effort to secure the release of prisoners of war currently held in captivity by the government of Azerbaijan. 

The collaborative effort between the two organizations began in January of 2021. It will pursue the acknowledgment of human rights violations and damage claims for the harm and injuries suffered by both civilian and military personnel at the hands of Azerbaijan’s armed forces and the foreign mercenaries Azerbaijan employed in its recent unprovoked aggression against Armenia and Artsakh. Some of this work is already underway with the Path of Law NGO in Armenia that ICLaw is collaborating with for these efforts. ICLaw and ALC will also pursue the return of the remains of Armenian soldiers and civilians missing in action since the end of the armed conflict on November 9, 2020. In furtherance of the undertaking to secure justice for the many victims of Azerbaijan’s human rights violations, ICLaw will also conduct comprehensive fact-finding investigations into the many reported incidents of torture and murder of Armenian soldiers and civilians while in the custody of the Azerbaijani military. The ICLaw, with the support and backing of the ALC, has already initiated dozens of legal proceedings in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on behalf of the identified Armenian captives in Azerbaijani custody.  

“The Azerbaijani government continues to engage in a pattern of gross and blatant human rights abuses for which they must be held accountable,” stated renowned human rights lawyer and ICLaw executive director Siranush Sahakyan, who is spearheading the ECHR lawsuits. “Working closely with the ALC, we are committed to securing justice for the victims of Azerbaijani aggression and ultimately for the long overdue release of the Armenian captives,” concluded Sahakyan.

“The continued detention, abuse and torture of Armenian soldiers and civilians by Azerbaijan are egregious human rights violations that can no longer be tolerated and must be resolved without further delay,” stated Kenneth Hachikian, chairman of the ALC. “We are pleased to be partnering with our talented, experienced and dedicated colleagues at the ICLaw and will continue forward with this vital endeavor until justice is served and all the captives are returned home to their families,” he added. “Toward that goal, we call on all Armenians to generously contribute their efforts and resources to this crucial initiative,” concluded Hachikian.

To make a tax-deductible donation to the ALC and to help secure the release of Armenian captives in the custody of the Azerbaijani government, visit https://givebutter.com/ALC_Pows.

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