“GEGHARD”
SCIENTIFIC ANALYTICAL
FOUNDATION
2026
2026
2024-05-21
The UN Committee against Torture adopted the Concluding Observations on the fulfillment of obligations by Azerbaijan within the framework of the UN Convention against Torture at a meeting held on May 6. In this document, the Committee condemns the repression and persecution of civil society representatives and journalists in Azerbaijan.
This international organization expresses serious concern about the severe violations of international humanitarian law and human rights committed by Azerbaijan against Armenians after the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh, including the torture of Armenian prisoners of war and the propagation of hatred. In the subsection "Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh," it refers to extrajudicial killings, torture, and other forms of ill-treatment by the Azerbaijani armed forces, as well as the recording and distribution of videos depicting horrific acts, including beheadings, desecration, and mutilation of corpses.
The Committee also expressed concerns over the continued detention of Armenians. It deems any violation of international humanitarian law and human rights against Armenians as unacceptable, stressing that torture cannot be justified under any circumstances, including in the case of a war or threat of war, internal political instability, or any emergency. The Committee calls on Azerbaijan to conduct an independent, impartial, transparent, and effective investigation and to bring the guilty to justice. The Committee expresses its concern on the “effect that discriminatory statements made by high-level officials and disseminated in both online and offline media may have in creating an environment that greatly increases the likelihood of the commission of violence against persons of Armenian national or ethnic origin”.
The document calls on Azerbaijan to publicly condemn hate speech, threats, and attacks against Armenians and other national minorities. It states that those responsible should be tried and punished according to the gravity of their actions.
Despite international condemnations and appeals, Azerbaijan continues the illegal imprisonment of Armenian prisoners of war and the military-political leadership of Artsakh.
On May 15, 2024, it was reported about the decision to extend the detention of former Artsakh presidents for another 5 months, and on May 16, the detention of Ruben Vardanyan was extended. At the same time, Azerbaijan continues the belligerent rhetoric and hate speech against Armenia and Armenians at the level of the president and other state officials.
Against the backdrop of these ongoing violations by Azerbaijan against Armenia and Armenians, the statements and condemnations made by international bodies are insufficient to compel Azerbaijan to fulfill its international obligations. Only the implementation of clear mechanisms and pressures can help prevent human rights violations, illegal actions, and hate speech by Azerbaijan, regardless of nationality and origin.