A European Parliament discussion on the need for the immediate release and return of Armenian prisoners from Azerbaijan was held,  during which a special report was delivered by the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, the ombudsman’s office informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Tatoyan stressed the importance of international pressure on Azerbaijan, which will enable avoiding further new crimes.

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia informed that on April 9 he petitioned to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe for the immediate return of all Armenian captives illegally detained in Azerbaijan.

He once again drew special attention to the fact that all these Armenian servicemen and civilians were captured by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the current and ongoing armed conflict, and therefore, they are all considered captives and should be released and returned immediately to their homeland without any preconditions.

The Human Rights Defender stated that the absolute urgency of the release of these captives should be viewed also in the context of the propaganda of Armenophobia and enmity being carried out in Azerbaijan at highest level of state.

Tatoyan expressed a belief that the EU should express its respective position in an institutional way to eliminate these violations and prevent their consequences.

During the discussion, the ombudsman of Armenia presented in detail the international humanitarian and human rights rules which require the immediate release and safe return of captives.