Azerbaijan grossly violates the norms of international humanitarian law: Karabakh MFA

Arsakh Foreign Ministry says the dissemination of the video message of NKR Defense Army serviceman Andranik Grigoryan, who is in the Azerbaijani captivity, is a violation of international humanitarian law.

“By disseminating the video messages of Andranik Grigoryan, the first of which was made public the next day after he was taken prisoner, Azerbaijan grossly violates the norms of the international humanitarian law, in particular, Article 13 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, adopted on 12 August 1949, protecting the prisoners of war from public curiosity,” the Ministry said in comments to News.am.

“Participating States of the Geneva conventions undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the provisions of the Convention in all circumstances. In the case of Azerbaijan, this provision is particularly relevant, given the fact that violation of international humanitarian law by the Azerbaijani side has already become systematic,” the Ministry said.

“Outright disregard of the norms of international humanitarian law by the Azerbaijani side is a challenge for the entire international community, as abiding to them is the responsibility of the international community as a whole,” it stated.