Ombudsman discussed the situation of Azerbaijanis in Syria with the ICRC Representative in Azerbaijan

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva held a meeting with the Head of Delegation of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) in Azerbaijan, Elena Ajmone Sessera and the Protection Coordinator, Emanuela Bertingi.

The aim of the meeting, organized in a video conferencing form following the recommendations of the Operational Headquarters under the Cabinet of Ministers, was to discuss the current status of the citizens of Azerbaijan held captive and hostage in Syrian Arab Republic at present and the cooperation on implementation of measures to return them back.

The Ombudsman informed that some citizens of Azerbaijan have left for Syria in recent years together with their families to take part in the ongoing civil war. She stressed that persons held captive and hostage in tent camps under the control of different armed groups, in particular, women and children are kept in intolerable conditions, and the wounded d sick people are left without medical care in a neglected situation.

The Ombudsman added that she received numerous appeals from their family members and close relatives and has met with them in person for several times. Sabina Aliyeva noted that armed groups subjected children in camps to torture, some of latter were forcibly taken from their families or abducted.

The Head of ICRC Delegation in Azerbaijan mentioned that they attached great importance to the cooperation with the Ombudsman institution, kept the above mentioned issues in focus. She stated that the coordinated activity in that field will continue and particular attention will be paid to the protection of the rights of persons, especially of children, detained in Syria camps.

In her turn, the Protection Coordinator of the ICRC, Emanuela Bertingi noted that ICRC carried out monitoring in detention places in Syria and added that despite the difficulties in their general activities caused by COVID-19 pandemic spread across the world, actions aimed at solution of problem will be taken in a coordinated way.

During the videoconference, the Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva has recalled that the situation in those camps is a humanitarian catastrophe and reached a dangerous level for human life. She asked for taking immediate actions within the mandate of the ICRC accordance with the Geneva Conventions and rendering help to protect the interests of citizens who turned out hostage of armed conflict in Syria; to specify the information about them; to prevent torture and inhuman treatment of those persons; to assist in providing humanitarian aid and medical care for the wounded and sick, as well as returning them back to Azerbaijan and their reunion with families.

Elena Ajmone Sessera expressed her gratitude to the Ombudsman for fruitful exchange of views and discussion and noted that the raised issues will be taken into consideration within the mutual cooperation.