Ruben Vardanyan responds to  reply of Armenian Ombudsperson: I am  genuinely  sorry

ArmInfo.If the protection of Armenian citizens held in Azerbaijani prisons does not fall within the mandate of Armenia's Human Rights Defender, then whose mandate is it? This is the question posed by Ruben Varadanyan, former state minister of Artsakh and philanthropist held captive by Azerbaijan. He  was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February of this year on trumped-up charges.

Vardanyan's statement, released by his family,  reads as follows: " I  have reviewed the response of the Human Rights Defender of the  Republic of Armenia, Ms. Anahit Manasyan, to my appeal. I will not  publicly assess her position. That is a matter between her and her  conscience. I will say simply: I am genuinely sorry. God will be your  judge. However, this response raises very specific questions   not  only for the institution of the Human Rights Defender, but for the  Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

If the protection of Armenian citizens held in Azerbaijani prisons  does not fall within the mandate of Armenia's Human Rights Defender,  then whose mandate is it? Who has been appointed within the  government to be responsible for this matter? When were they  appointed? Why do neither the families of the detainees nor society  at large know anything about this?

There are people who have been in Baku's prisons for six years.  During this time, the Government of Armenia has failed to establish  any sustainable and coherent mechanism for communication with them    neither through third-party countries, including the embassies of  states with a presence in Baku, nor through international  organizations.  Why?  Why can Armenian officials travel to Azerbaijan  on trade, economic, and other matters, but cannot organize a visit  concerning the lives, health, and legal situation of Armenian  captives? Is the fate of these people not more important than trade  negotiations? Why has a basic mechanism for delivering essential  items to the detainees still not been put in place?

A number of people have received no parcels for over a year. Many  have no adequate clothing and no way to receive what they genuinely  need, given their age, health conditions, and the circumstances of  their detention. Instead, whatever assistance does reach them is  organized informally, without transparency, and without regard for  the actual needs of the detainees. People receive not what they need,  but what someone decided to send. This is not assistance. These are  handouts.

Among those detained are people over the age of 70, people with  serious health conditions. When people who have no teeth are sent  dried fruit, that is not help. That is humiliation. Is the Prime  Minister aware of this? Who is personally responsible for organizing  this process? What is the established procedure? Why is it not being  followed? Have you no shame?

Is there no shame in receiving a peace prize, speaking of peace, and  accepting applause   while citizens of Armenia remain in Baku's  prisons without proper protection, without systemic support, without  assistance or oversight from their own state? Name the responsible  official. Publish the procedure. Explain what has been done over the  past six years. Or honestly admit that no such official exists   and  that the captives have no reason to expect help from their own  state."

Earlier, Vardanyan appealed to Manasyan with a request to visit  Azerbaijan and meet with the Armenian prisoners being held illegally  in Baku. However, in a lengthy and sweeping response, Manasyan stated  that doing so does not fall within her mandate.