Yerevan, January 25 – Tigran Abrahamyan, Secretary of the ‘I Have Honor’ faction of the National Assembly, has issued a sharp critique of the current narrative surrounding peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Abrahamyan questions the sincerity of the proclaimed ‘love bridges’ and promises of peace, highlighting the plight of Armenians still held in Baku’s prisons and the ongoing applications by Armenians remaining in Artsakh to relocate to Armenia.
Abrahamyan: Discrepancy Between Rhetoric and Reality
Abrahamyan’s statement, released on January 24, underscores a significant disconnect between the official discourse of warming relations and the harsh realities faced by many Armenians. He reminds the public that beyond the “loving compliments and promises of peace from the Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities, there are Armenians in Baku’s prisons.”
While the official number of Armenians held in Baku is stated as 19, Abrahamyan points to unofficial data from human rights defenders, who suggest the true figure is closer to 70-80 individuals detained since the 44-day war. This discrepancy raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability in the peace process.
The Plight of Artsakh Armenians
Further challenging the notion of improving relations, Abrahamyan questions why, if new ‘love bridges’ are indeed forming between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the last remaining Armenians in Artsakh are applying to move to Armenia. This ongoing displacement, following the occupation of Artsakh, directly contradicts any claims of a peaceful resolution that ensures the safety and well-being of the Armenian population in the region.
Abrahamyan’s concerns extend to the broader implications of these unresolved issues. He asks: “If everything is so good, why do some Armenians continue to be in Azerbaijani prisons, why are the Armenians remaining there after the occupation of Artsakh forced to leave their homeland, and why is the topic of collective return of those forcibly displaced from Artsakh taboo for both the Armenian and Azerbaijani administrations?”
Call for Freedom and Accountability
The statement concludes with a fervent call for the release of all Armenians held in Baku’s prisons, emphasizing the urgent need for action and accountability. Abrahamyan’s remarks highlight the deep-seated mistrust and unresolved humanitarian issues that continue to plague the Armenia-Azerbaijan relationship, despite official pronouncements of peace and cooperation.
The critical questions posed by Abrahamyan underscore the complexity of the situation and the imperative for genuine, comprehensive solutions that address the human rights and security concerns of all affected populations. The international community continues to monitor developments, with calls for the release of prisoners and the protection of displaced persons remaining a priority.
Source: https://www.golosarmenii.am/arm/%D5%A1%D5%A2%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%B0%D5%A1%D5%B4%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6%E2%80%A4-%D5%A5%D5%A9%D5%A5-%D5%BD%D5%AB%D6%80%D5%B8-%D5%B6%D5%B8%D6%80-%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B4%D5%B8%D6%82%D6%80%D5%BB%D5%B6%D5%A5/
