It is impossible to imagine an independent and impartial trial of ethnic Armenians in Azerbaijan, and, in this regard, I welcome the statement of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the matter, in particular, regarding the release of all persons arbitrarily deprived of their liberty in Azerbaijan, including ethnic Armenians. This was stated by the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsperson) of Armenia, Anahit Manasyan, at a briefing with reporters after Thursday’s Cabinet meeting of the Armenian government.

“The main idea is that it is about people with ethnic affiliation. That is, the problem does not concern one or two people, but regardless of who they are, if they have that ethnic national affiliation, they can be subjected to pressure,” added Manasyan.

When asked what specific steps Armenia’s ombudsperson is taking for the return of Armenian captives, hostages, and other detained persons in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku, she replied: “There are issues that cannot be discussed publicly because it may be a violation of principle. The solution to these issues on international platforms is not determined by how loudly you speak about the issue, or how many expressions full of insults you use; it must have the right tactics.

“I am not only in communication with international colleagues, but I am also conducting clear legal analyses related to this issue. You are also familiar with some of it because I have spoken about it publicly. But some of it cannot be presented publicly, including considering the circumstance of the sensitivity of the mentioned persons and their family members.”

And when asked whether a political or legal intervention is needed, ultimately, Armenia’s Human Rights Defender said: “The legal [intervention] in this case, naturally, is a very important opportunity and means to achieve specific goals on political platforms.”