Azerbaijani war criminals could enter Armenia without accountability, expert warns

Serious concerns remain over the effectiveness of investigations into war crimes committed against Armenian prisoners by Azerbaijani forces, says Anna Melikyan, an expert with the Protection of Rights Without Borders NGO.

Speaking at a discussion in Yerevan on Wednesday, Melikyan pointed to troubling statements from senior officials that international search efforts and inquiries into alleged war crimes, including killings of Armenian POWs, will be suspended under informal “gentlemen’s agreements” between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“It raises serious concern that no effective measures will be taken to identify those accused of war crimes. After the conclusion of a peace treaty and the opening of communications, they could potentially enter Armenia without facing accountability," Melikyan warned.

She also criticized the draft peace agreement for lacking binding provisions on the immediate return of prisoners. According to Melikyan, Armenian officials have grown increasingly cautious in their public remarks on the issue since August 8.

“Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan could have raised the return of prisoners in his speeches at the UN and the PACE,” she said. “We see this as a missed, or possibly deliberately missed opportunity.”