Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan today met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Armenia John Gallagher, as reported the Office of the Human Rights Defender.

The Ombudsman told the Ambassador about the war crimes that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces committed during the war that took place in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in November-December 2020 and stated that he has forwarded to international organizations an analysis of 297 videos and photos showing Azerbaijani atrocities against Armenian prisoners of war and civilians, as well as destruction of and disrespect towards Armenian historical, cultural and religious heritage.

Tatoyan thoroughly touched upon the urgency of the return of Armenian captives being kept in Azerbaijan and noted that the Azerbaijani authorities are grossly violating the international requirements for protection of the rights of captives with their behavior, presenting the captives as ‘terrorists’ or ‘saboteurs’.

The Azerbaijani authorities are artificially delaying and politicizing the process and grossly violating the rights of the captives and their families, causing them suffering and sparking tension in society. The Ombudsman stressed that top Azerbaijani officials continue their policy of Armenophobia and hostility, stating that evidence of this is the opening of the so-called ‘war trophy park’ in Baku. He also called the guest’s attention to the fact that mannequins of Armenian soldiers are humiliated and the park is even open for children.

Tatoyan called the Ambassador’s attention to the Armenophobic speeches by the President of Azerbaijan and stressed that his speeches inflame Armenophobia even more and put peace between the peoples of the region at risk.

Several issues related to the competence of the Human Rights Defender prior to the upcoming elections were also discussed.