The Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia on 24 June 2021 organized a consultation on the issue of the effectiveness of providing legal assistance to Armenian prisoners of war in the proceedings ongoing in Azerbaijan.
Participating in the consultation were the President of the Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia Ara Zohrabyan, the First Deputy President Mane Karapetyan, the Deputy President Harut Aklunts, and advocates Hayk Alumyan and Ara Ghazaryan.
Present at the consultation were the Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the European Court of Human Rights Yeghishe Kirakosyan and the Deputy Representative Liparit Drmeyan. The Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the ECtHR provided the advocates with general information on the progress of the cases concerning Armenian prisoners of war being examined in the European Court of Human Rights.
The advocates discussed the issue of the necessity and effectiveness of providing legal assistance to Armenian prisoners of war in Azerbaijan, as well as of identifying and substantiating possible violations. The advocates expressed concern that Azerbaijan would obstruct the provision of legal assistance to Armenian prisoners of war by advocates of the Republic of Armenia.
As a result of the discussion, the Chamber of Advocates decided to address the competent bodies of the Republic of Armenia, the competent bodies of Azerbaijan, the Bar Association of Azerbaijan, as well as other international structures, on the issues of ensuring the provision of legal assistance to Armenian prisoners of war through advocates of the Republic of Armenia, permitting the entry of advocates of the Republic of Armenia into Azerbaijan and guaranteeing their safety.
Taking the above into account, we request that by 29 June 2021:
- Advocates specializing in criminal law who are willing to provide legal assistance to Armenian prisoners of war in Azerbaijan notify of this by sending a message to the email address [email protected]:
- Family members of Armenian prisoners of war, if they wish to be represented through an advocate of the Republic of Armenia in Azerbaijan, apply to the Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia.
