Dozens of NGOs have opened an open letter to the Chairman of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Miryana Sollarich, demanding visiting Ruben Vardanyan, illegally held in Baku prison.
"We turn to you with deep concerns about the state of Ruben Vardanyan's health and the state of Ruben Vardanyan, who are on hunger strike in the Baku prison and the state illegally convicted of political reasons for political reasons.
According to the information spread in the Azerbaijani press, during the February 25 court session, Ruben Vardanyan was deteriorated, but despite that, the court session continued. In addition, in the spread photos, traces of torture are visible on his face.
Taking into account that he is judged for political reasons and is already in a hunger strike for a long time, his health condition can deteriorate quickly, leading to irreversible consequences. The situation of other Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan and the other political occurrence is also worrying.
In this situation, the International Committee of the Red Cross, as an independent humanitarian organization, must act in accordance with the basic principles of its mandate and international humanitarian law. Therefore, we call on you,
Visit Ruben Vardanyan immediately, regardless of the medical assessment.
Provide impartial monitoring of his health condition and follow that he receives the necessary medical care.
Address his hunger strike and mediated to ensure his fundamental rights. In this regard, it is necessary to pay special attention to the revealing the causes of the obvious injuries of his face, which the Azerbaijani side bears a special obligation.
Introduce an impartial report on the conditions of keeping Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenian captives and their attitude towards them, according to international standards.
It will take effective efforts at the end of the hunger strike, at the same time addressing the concerns that have led to that extreme step. It is necessary to take into account the urgency of the issue and not to make the next regular visit of the ICRC to be late.
Implement regular visits to all Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijani prisons to guarantee a fair attitude towards them.
Act as an independent mediator between the Armenian captives and the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure the observance of international humanitarian law and their immediate release.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has exclusive competence and mandate in the field of prisoners' protection, so your intervention in this situation is not only justified, but also necessary. Your role is especially important for political reasons and the monitoring of the prisoners of prisoners convicted of international humanitarian law, which is one of the basic principles of Geneva Conventions.
We hope that this issue will be given a priority and immediate steps will be taken to prevent possible tragic consequences.
With the expectation of your immediate response,
"We are our mountains" Development Agency NGO
"ARAKH UNITY" NGO
"TIME DOCUMENTS" HEALTH NGO
"Artsakh Humanitarian Assistance Initiative"
Law Priority NGO
"International and Comparative Law" NGO
Law and Justice Center "Tatoyan" Foundation
"Good Mam" charity NGO
"Girls of Armenia Guidance in Sports" Educational Foundation (Gols)
Caroline Cox Rehabilitation Center NGO
"301 WISDOM COUNTRY" SCIENTIFIC Foundation
Against Legal Arbitrariness NGO
Fryrenaratherhostages Civil Movement
"Babon Lord A" Women's initiative
"Youth Public Research Center" NGO
"Union of Warehouse Officers" NGO
"Hayk's Generation" NGO
"Askkkersis" Community Development Center NGO
"Institute of Narodnoya Diplomati"
"Greek community of Artsakh"
"Harmonized Union of Society and Nature" NGO
"Renated Homeland" NGO
"Artsakhward-Artsakh" NGO NGO
"Motherhood" NGO
"Council of Elders of Artsakh" NGO
"Union of Psychologists of Artsakh" professional NGO
"Power of Thought" NGO
"Mission Armenia" PAP
