YEREVAN – Concerns are mounting over the welfare of Armenian citizens detained in Azerbaijan following the complete withdrawal of the International Committee of the Red Cross from the country. The ICRC, which had provided a critical international communication link with the prisoners, has officially closed its office in Baku.
Reports indicate that no independent international body has had any contact with the Armenian detainees since June, significantly raising fears regarding their physical safety and increasing the risk of human rights violations.
A proposal was reportedly made to the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs months ago, suggesting it formally request a neutral third country, such as Switzerland, to provide consular services for its imprisoned citizens. It is understood that Swiss authorities expressed a readiness to undertake such a humanitarian mission, contingent on an official request from the Armenian state.
Critics point out that, despite this available pathway, no such formal application has been submitted by Armenian authorities in the intervening six months. This inaction is being questioned, with observers noting that securing basic consular access is a standard diplomatic procedure that does not necessarily require complex negotiations.
The lack of a visible, effective operation to ensure the prisoners’ legal and physical protection is described as deeply troubling. Failure to utilize all available diplomatic channels to safeguard citizens abroad is seen by some analysts as a significant oversight that could have broader implications for national security.
