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ARMENIA READY TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF POWS WITH AZERBAIJAN WITHOUT MEDIATORS
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/09/19/armenia-ready-to-discuss-the-issue-of-pows-with-azerbaijan-without-mediators/
18:34 19.09.2013
On September 19, Mr. Davit Tonoyan, First Deputy Minister of Defense
of RA had a meeting with Mr. Christoph Bierwirth, UNHCR Representative
in Armenia and discussed prospects of general cooperation in relevant
spheres of mutual interest, Press Service of the Ministry of Defense
reports.
During the meeting Mr.Tonoyan inter alia touched upon the situation
concerning the Armenian POW Hakob Injighulyan held in Azerbaijani
captivity. He referred to a recent press release on an Azerbaijani
media outlet quoting Mr.Shahin Sailov, Secretary of State Commission
of Azerbaijan on POW, Detainees and Missing in Action who said that the
Armenian POW Hakob Injighulyan reportedly made a request to be sent to
a 3rdcountry. If this information is not yet another propaganda trick
on part of the Azerbaijani authorities, the logical follow-up would
suggest engagement of the UNHCR office in Baku according to its mandate
to proceed with determination of a refugee status for H. Injighulyan.
He also informed that the Armenian side has reiterated its pledge for
several times that Injighulyan will not be subject to any criminal
prosecution thus eliminating any possibility of "well-founded fear of
being persecuted", especially when no other grounds exist to confirm
this fear based on race, nationality, religion, political opinion, etc.
Emphasizing the above-mentioned facts he called upon UNHCR and other
stake holders to consider these facts in their approach when addressing
such cases.
The First Deputy Minister noted that granting Injighulyan a "refugee
status" could be understood as a chance for him to escape inevitable
physical abuse, torture or other tragic consequences as experienced
before in similar cases such as Manvel Saribekyan's- a shepherd who
was brutally killed while being captive under Azerbaijani protection.
However, it was emphasized that negative precedents should be avoided
thus the course of action should be considered extremely carefully
given the complex pattern.
Mr. Bierwirth took note of the position expressed by the First
Deputy Minister and promised to share it with his headquarters in
Geneva. He emphasized, however, the independence of UNHCR in conducting
mandate status determination procedures and the purely humanitarian,
non-political mandate of UNHCR.
In addition it was stated that Armenia is ready to discuss such cases
on a bilateral level with Azerbaijan without mediation efforts in
existing international or any other frameworks and formats.
From: A. Papazian
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/09/19/armenia-ready-to-discuss-the-issue-of-pows-with-azerbaijan-without-mediators/
18:34 19.09.2013
On September 19, Mr. Davit Tonoyan, First Deputy Minister of Defense
of RA had a meeting with Mr. Christoph Bierwirth, UNHCR Representative
in Armenia and discussed prospects of general cooperation in relevant
spheres of mutual interest, Press Service of the Ministry of Defense
reports.
During the meeting Mr.Tonoyan inter alia touched upon the situation
concerning the Armenian POW Hakob Injighulyan held in Azerbaijani
captivity. He referred to a recent press release on an Azerbaijani
media outlet quoting Mr.Shahin Sailov, Secretary of State Commission
of Azerbaijan on POW, Detainees and Missing in Action who said that the
Armenian POW Hakob Injighulyan reportedly made a request to be sent to
a 3rdcountry. If this information is not yet another propaganda trick
on part of the Azerbaijani authorities, the logical follow-up would
suggest engagement of the UNHCR office in Baku according to its mandate
to proceed with determination of a refugee status for H. Injighulyan.
He also informed that the Armenian side has reiterated its pledge for
several times that Injighulyan will not be subject to any criminal
prosecution thus eliminating any possibility of "well-founded fear of
being persecuted", especially when no other grounds exist to confirm
this fear based on race, nationality, religion, political opinion, etc.
Emphasizing the above-mentioned facts he called upon UNHCR and other
stake holders to consider these facts in their approach when addressing
such cases.
The First Deputy Minister noted that granting Injighulyan a "refugee
status" could be understood as a chance for him to escape inevitable
physical abuse, torture or other tragic consequences as experienced
before in similar cases such as Manvel Saribekyan's- a shepherd who
was brutally killed while being captive under Azerbaijani protection.
However, it was emphasized that negative precedents should be avoided
thus the course of action should be considered extremely carefully
given the complex pattern.
Mr. Bierwirth took note of the position expressed by the First
Deputy Minister and promised to share it with his headquarters in
Geneva. He emphasized, however, the independence of UNHCR in conducting
mandate status determination procedures and the purely humanitarian,
non-political mandate of UNHCR.
In addition it was stated that Armenia is ready to discuss such cases
on a bilateral level with Azerbaijan without mediation efforts in
existing international or any other frameworks and formats.
From: A. Papazian