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ARMENIAN DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER DISCUSSED WITH UN REPRESENTATIVE ISSUES RELATING TO HAKOB INJIGHULYAN
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/733607/armenian--deputy-defense-minister-discussed-with-un-representative-issues-relating-to-hakob-injighulyan.html
18:50, 19 September, 2013
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS: On September 19, Mr. Davit Tonoyan,
First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia had a
meeting with Mr. Christoph Bierwirth, UNHCR Representative in Armenia
and discussed prospects of general cooperation in relevant spheres of
mutual interest. "Armenpress" was informed from press service of the
ministry that during the meeting Mr.Tonoyan inter alia touched upon
the situation concerning the Armenian POW Hakob Injighulyan held in
Azerbaijani captivity.
He referred to a recent press release on an Azerbaijani media outlet
quoting Mr.Shahin Sailov, Secretary of State Commission of Azerbaijan
on POW, Detainees and Missing in Action who said that the Armenian
POW Hakob Injighulyan reportedly made a request to be sent to a 3rd
country. If this information is not yet another propaganda trick
on part of the Azerbaijani authorities, the logical follow-up would
suggest engagement of the UNHCR office in Baku according to its mandate
to proceed with determination of a refugee status for H. Injighulyan.
He also informed that the Armenian side has reiterated its pledge for
several times that Injighulyan will not be subject to any criminal
prosecution thus eliminating any possibility of "well-founded fear of
being persecuted", especially when no other grounds exist to confirm
this fear based on race, nationality, religion, political opinion, etc.
Emphasizing the above-mentioned facts he called upon UNHCR and
other stake holders to consider these facts in their approach when
addressing such cases. The First Deputy Minister noted that granting
Injighulyan a "refugee status" could be understood as a chance for
him to escape inevitable physical abuse, torture or other tragic
consequences as experienced before in similar cases such as Manvel
Saribekyan's- a shepherd who was brutally killed while being captive
under Azerbaijani protection.
However, it was emphasized that negative precedents should be avoided
thus the course of action should be considered extremely carefully
given the complex pattern. Mr. Bierwirth took note of the position
expressed by the First Deputy Minister and promised to share it with
his headquarters in Geneva. He emphasized, however, the independence
of UNHCR in conducting mandate status determination procedures and
the purely humanitarian, non-political mandate of UNHCR.
In addition it was stated that Armenia is ready to discuss such cases
on a bilateral level with Azerbaijan without mediation efforts in
existing international or any other frameworks and formats.
Serviceman of NKR Defense Army Hakob Injighulyan at about 03:00 at
night of August 7-8 during his service did not manage to orient in the
territory and crossed the Karabakh-Azerbaijan border and appeared on
the territory protected by the rival's troops.On the next day he was
taken to Baku. Representatives of Baku office of the International
Committee of the Red Cross managed to hold two meetings with him.
From: Baghdasarian
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/733607/armenian--deputy-defense-minister-discussed-with-un-representative-issues-relating-to-hakob-injighulyan.html
18:50, 19 September, 2013
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, ARMENPRESS: On September 19, Mr. Davit Tonoyan,
First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia had a
meeting with Mr. Christoph Bierwirth, UNHCR Representative in Armenia
and discussed prospects of general cooperation in relevant spheres of
mutual interest. "Armenpress" was informed from press service of the
ministry that during the meeting Mr.Tonoyan inter alia touched upon
the situation concerning the Armenian POW Hakob Injighulyan held in
Azerbaijani captivity.
He referred to a recent press release on an Azerbaijani media outlet
quoting Mr.Shahin Sailov, Secretary of State Commission of Azerbaijan
on POW, Detainees and Missing in Action who said that the Armenian
POW Hakob Injighulyan reportedly made a request to be sent to a 3rd
country. If this information is not yet another propaganda trick
on part of the Azerbaijani authorities, the logical follow-up would
suggest engagement of the UNHCR office in Baku according to its mandate
to proceed with determination of a refugee status for H. Injighulyan.
He also informed that the Armenian side has reiterated its pledge for
several times that Injighulyan will not be subject to any criminal
prosecution thus eliminating any possibility of "well-founded fear of
being persecuted", especially when no other grounds exist to confirm
this fear based on race, nationality, religion, political opinion, etc.
Emphasizing the above-mentioned facts he called upon UNHCR and
other stake holders to consider these facts in their approach when
addressing such cases. The First Deputy Minister noted that granting
Injighulyan a "refugee status" could be understood as a chance for
him to escape inevitable physical abuse, torture or other tragic
consequences as experienced before in similar cases such as Manvel
Saribekyan's- a shepherd who was brutally killed while being captive
under Azerbaijani protection.
However, it was emphasized that negative precedents should be avoided
thus the course of action should be considered extremely carefully
given the complex pattern. Mr. Bierwirth took note of the position
expressed by the First Deputy Minister and promised to share it with
his headquarters in Geneva. He emphasized, however, the independence
of UNHCR in conducting mandate status determination procedures and
the purely humanitarian, non-political mandate of UNHCR.
In addition it was stated that Armenia is ready to discuss such cases
on a bilateral level with Azerbaijan without mediation efforts in
existing international or any other frameworks and formats.
Serviceman of NKR Defense Army Hakob Injighulyan at about 03:00 at
night of August 7-8 during his service did not manage to orient in the
territory and crossed the Karabakh-Azerbaijan border and appeared on
the territory protected by the rival's troops.On the next day he was
taken to Baku. Representatives of Baku office of the International
Committee of the Red Cross managed to hold two meetings with him.
From: Baghdasarian