HRW: Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan allege rights’ violations

On 16 September 2026, Ruben Vardanyan recorded a public appeal to the Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva.

Ruben Vardanyan, who, along with eighteen other Armenian citizens, is being held at the “Umbaki” penitentiary complex, notes in his message that they are being deprived of regular contact with their families, physical exercise, medical examinations, and other rights guaranteed under Azerbaijani law. Giorgi Gogia, deputy director of Europe and Central Asia Division at Human Rights Watch, wrote in this regard that the prisoners’ contact with their families became more difficult after the Azerbaijani government closed down the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation there in September 2025. The ICRC says Geneva-based representatives visited detainees in December, met them privately, offered opportunities to communicate with their families, and assessed their treatment and detention conditions. However, visits are now less regular.

‘’Azerbaijan should ensure that all prisoners can maintain regular family contact, receive letters and permitted parcels, obtain necessary medical care, and have adequate daily outdoor exercise. It should also allow the ICRC regular access to conflict-related detainees,’’ – Giorgi Gogia writes.