Injughulian’s issue is within regulatory framework of European convention

The moment has arrived when we can apply to the European Court of Human Rights and ask it to take measures so that Azerbaijan could ensure contact of Armenia POW Hakob Injighulian with his family, international law expert Ara Ghazarian said in an interview with PastInfo news agency.

We would remind you on the night of August 8 Private Hakob Injighulian, 22, an Armenian serviceman, lost bearings, crossed the Karabakh-Azerbaijani border and entered Azerbaijani-controlled territory.

The issue of that Armenian prisoner of war is within the regulatory framework of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR): Injighulian has been so far out of contact with his parents, and little information is given through the mass media, with hints being dropped that he will be transferred to a third side, whereas the ECHR guarantees the right to reunite with one’s family. According to Ara Ghazarian, in Injighulian’s case, Article 8 of the ECHR, under which everyone has to right to respect for his private and family life, has been violated: he was shown on television and, secondly, he was not allowed to get into touch with his parents.

“We understand that he is a POW and the two countries are in a state of semi-war, but both countries signed the Convention and must fulfill its obligations, “ Ara Ghazarian noted. In his words, Article 15 (derogation in time of emergency) of the ECHR says that a state may derogate from some rights in case of a war or real danger to the nation. There is no such situation in Azerbaijan so the Azerbaijani authorities can ensure that right for Hakob Injighulian.

In the expert’s opinion, the Injighulian incident resembles in many ways the case of Armenian citizen Manvel Saribekian who was captured and later killed by the Azerbaijani side (his interview aired by an Azerbaijani TV channel, changed clothes, etc.)