Letters to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Swiss Confederation: ‘Implement a mechanism for consular access through a third country for Armenian prisoners in Baku’
More than four dozen non-governmental organizations today submitted letters to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the Embassy of Switzerland in the Republic of Armenia.
The letter addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, urges the establishment of a mechanism to ensure consular access to Armenian prisoners held in Baku through third countries, in line with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. “Considering the lack of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, it is understandable that the interstate mechanisms for intervention are, unfortunately, unavailable. However, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, to which both Armenia and Azerbaijan are parties, offers a mechanism for ensuring consular access through third countries — something several nations in similar situations have successfully utilized. We request that you activate this mechanism and approach a neutral third country, such as the Swiss Confederation, authorizing it to provide consular access and emergency medical assistance to Ruben Vardanyan and the other Armenian prisoners on behalf of the Republic of Armenia,” reads the letter to Ararat Mirzoyan.
The letter to the President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, states that, in light of Switzerland’s proven commitment to upholding, strengthening, and advancing international humanitarian law, the President and the Swiss government are urged to once more take on the position of neutral mediator. “Switzerland has a long-standing tradition of respecting, strengthening, and promoting international humanitarian law. We therefore request that You and Your esteemed Government once again assume this role as a neutral mediator and provide consular access and emergency medical assistance to Ruben Vardanyan and the other Armenian prisoners,” reads the letter to President Karin Keller-Sutter.
“The main appeal today is for the Republic of Armenia, as the country of citizenship of the hostages held in Azerbaijan, to request the Swiss Confederation to intervene and provide consular services to our hostages. Our appeal is grounded in the Vienna Convention, which permits countries without diplomatic relations to utilize the consular services of a neutral country. Given the ongoing sham ‘trial’ of our 16 captives and Ruben Vardanyan’s hunger strike, we view this as an urgent measure that the Armenian government must pursue,” said Artak Beglaryan, organizer of today’s action and president of the Artsakh Union NGO.
