Qanira Pashayeva: "Over 4,000 Azerbaijani citizens are held in Armenian captivity"

Discussions regarding activity of the International Committee of the Red Cross were held with participation of the head of this organization Mr.Kellenberg, in the framework of the summer session of the parliamentary assembly of the council of Europe.

Day.Az reports that member of Azerbaijani delegation in PACE Qanira Pashayeva also delivered a speech during the discussions.

In her speech, Pashayeva reminded about the results of occupation of 20% of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia and noted that Armenia, ignoring four resolutions of the UN Security Council and one PACE resolution, does not reject the occupation policy.

She said unfortunately, the world community does not react to Armenia's actions in the duly manner.

"I would like to draw attention of the assembly to the tragedy of over 4,000 families, lasting for about 15 years. In the result of Armenian occupation of 20% of Azerbaijani lands 4,264 people were missing with 47 children, 262 women and 359 elderly people.

All missing people were registered and declared for search by the Azerbaijan State Commission for hostages, missing and captives. It was revealed that of 4,264 missing people 783 were taken captives by the Armenian armed forces, of whom 18 are children, 46 women and 67 elderly people.

Though the whole information was presented to international organizations, Armenian authorities deny this fact", said Pashayeva.

Moreover, the deputy noted that in line with the proven facts 107 Azerbaijanis are held in the occupied lands of Azerbaijan.

Pashayeva said that through the time, which passed since occupation, 1,396 Azerbaijani citizens were freed and ICRC contributed to liberating a part of them.

"By proposal of international organizations, Azerbaijani state commission met with the Armenian state commission in Tbilisi and in Brussels, yet, despite that, the brutal attitude of Armenian representatives to Azerbaijani hostages has not changed", said she.

Pashayeva informed the PACE members that a book "Free us from captivity", fixing whole information about each Azerbaijani citizen, held in Armenian captivity, was released in Azerbaijan.

"We ask you not to be indifferent to the destiny of those people and apply all mechanisms to free them from Armenian captivity. We hope that the ICRC will further intensify its activity for returning the Azerbaijani captives", said Pashayeva.

The PACE members displayed interest with the voiced problem and the aforementioned book was distributed among some of them.

/Day.Az/