Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 9
By Kamalya Seidova - Trend:
Human Rights Commissioner Elmira Suleymanova sent a letter to the head of the Azerbaijani representation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the wake of the recent hostage-taking of teenager Javid Mammadov Samir oglu by Armenian servicemen, the press service of the Ombudsman's office said Sept.9.
"As it's known the citizen of Azerbaijan, 15-year-old Samir Mammadov Javid oglu was taken hostage by Armenian soldiers near the village of Chayli in the Tartar district Sept.5. Despite the ceasefire, the Armenian military units regularly violate the terms of this agreement, commit mass arson, and cause damage to the civilian population by opening fire from different weapons on border villages. Hostage-taking of civilians poses a threat to people's lives, violates their right of residence, freedom of movement and other rights. This violates the provisions of international documents on defence of human rights, civilian population, children, women, and the elderly during military conflicts," the letter reads.
It is noted that the continuation of such cases creates numerous precedents of impunity.
"Impunity creates conditions for new crimes against humanity, so that the civilian population will always be in danger," the letter says.
Given this, the Ombudsman asked to ensure the safety of 15-year-old Javid Mammadov, observing the international legal regulations, and to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, as well as to assist in the speedy return to his family.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented four U.N. Security Council resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.