Azerbaijan Orders Red Cross to Leave Country, Raising Serious Concerns for Armenian POWs

The government of Azerbaijan has ordered the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to shut down its operations in the country, raising serious concerns about the well-being of Armenian prisoners held in Baku. The Geneva-based humanitarian organization confirmed this development on Wednesday, stating that it is in discussions with Azerbaijani authorities regarding the matter.

"We have been made aware of the Azerbaijani government's intentions for the ICRC to close our delegation in Azerbaijan," ICRC spokesperson Ilaha Huseynova told Reuters.

The organization, which has operated in Azerbaijan since 1992, has played a crucial role in providing humanitarian assistance, particularly to prisoners of war (POWs) and detainees from the wars in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijani officials have yet to comment on the decision outside of normal working hours. However, the closure of the ICRC office could have serious consequences for detainees, including former officials from the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), who are currently imprisoned in Baku.

One of the detainees affected by this decision is Ruben Vardanyan, the former State Minister of Artsakh, who has been on a hunger strike since mid-February. He, along with 15 other former officials and military personnel, is facing trial on charges that include terrorism. Many observers, including human rights organizations, have described these trials as politically motivated.

The ICRC has been the only organization with direct access to these prisoners, regularly conducting in-person visits to monitor their health and conditions. With the Red Cross now being forced out, detainees and their families are left in a state of uncertainty.

International law expert Siranush Sahakyan has warned that the closure of the ICRC office will further increase psychological distress for the detained Armenians. "This means that the fate of the Armenians held in Baku will be left entirely to the whim of the Azeri authorities, which could become an extra political lever for pressuring the Armenian government," she said in an interview with Armenpress.

The decision to expel the ICRC is part of a broader crackdown on international organizations operating in Azerbaijan. Reports indicate that the government is also seeking to close the offices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Sahakyan argues that Azerbaijan’s actions are aimed at silencing organizations that document human rights violations. "Azerbaijan seeks to shut down organizations that are exposing its deteriorating human rights record and low level of democracy," she said.

With the ICRC no longer able to provide oversight, experts are urging alternative measures to ensure the protection of Armenian detainees. Sahakyan suggested that other international bodies, such as the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture or the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, should take on the responsibility of monitoring the conditions of the prisoners.

Another potential solution involves diplomatic efforts through the Vienna Convention, which entitles foreign nationals to consular visits while detained in another country. However, since Armenia and Azerbaijan do not have diplomatic relations, direct consular access is not possible. Instead, Armenia has called on a neutral country, such as Switzerland, to step in and provide diplomatic oversight.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has stated that the government is actively working to secure the release of the POWs. He highlighted his recent speech at the High-Level Segment of the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, where he condemned the ongoing trials in Azerbaijan. He also mentioned discussions with the ICRC chief and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, who later issued a statement calling on Azerbaijan to release the Armenian prisoners.

Despite the ICRC’s exit, Azerbaijan is still legally required to provide information about the detainees under international agreements. The Office of the Representative of Armenia on International Legal Affairs pointed out that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has previously issued interim measures against Baku, requiring it to disclose details about the prisoners.

However, legal experts stress that these measures do not replace the ICRC’s role in ensuring regular visits and direct humanitarian support. The absence of the Red Cross could leave Armenian detainees more vulnerable to mistreatment and isolation.