French government representative Nicolas Forissier has said that resolving the issue of Armenians detained in Azerbaijan is a prerequisite for normalization, during a French Senate discussion on humanitarian assistance and the rights of displaced Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians.
The minister made the remarks in response to a question from Marseille Senator Marie-Arlette Carlotti, Panorama.am reports.
Carlotti asked what assistance France was providing to Armenians forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh and what steps it was taking to protect the rights of those held in Baku.
“On February 5 this year, a military court in Baku sentenced 15 Armenians, five of them to life imprisonment. A few days later, Ruben Vardanyan was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Amnesty International condemned serious violations of fair trial guarantees, while Human Rights Watch criticized restrictions on access to medical care and contact with families. What initiatives are you undertaking with European partners to ensure that the peace process includes the release of prisoners and guarantees displaced people’s freedom of choice, particularly their right to return?” the senator asked.
Forissier emphasized that unresolved humanitarian issues must be addressed as part of the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“Unresolved humanitarian issues must be discussed within the framework of the normalization process between the two countries. We welcomed the return of four detainees to Armenia on January 14 this year and call for the release of all arbitrarily detained persons. Progress in the normalization process creates an opportunity to establish lasting peace in the South Caucasus. We encourage both sides to fulfill their commitments. Resolving the issue of prisoners is a prerequisite,” he stated.
The minister added that France had unequivocally condemned Azerbaijan’s military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh and expressed regret over the departure of almost the entire Armenian population of the region.
“We have provided the greatest humanitarian assistance in accommodating displaced people. The resources allocated will be adjusted to existing needs to ensure humanitarian assistance is effective. France attaches importance to implementing the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice on November 17, 2023. Everyone wishing to return to their places of residence must be able to do so freely and safely,” Forissier said.
Among those sentenced to life imprisonment in Azerbaijan are former Nagorno-Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, former First Deputy Commander Davit Manukyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan and former National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan.
Former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, along with Ruben Vardanyan, received 20-year prison sentences.
Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan were sentenced to 19 years, Garik Martirosyan to 18 years, Davit Alahverdyan and Levon Balayan to 16 years, and Erik Ghazaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan and Vasil Beglaryan to 15 years.
