The letter of Ombudsman: may be it was possible to save the lives of pilots
RA Human Rights Defender Karen Andreasyan sent a letter to Nils Muiznieks, Commissioner for Human Rights of European Council. “I am deeply concerned and worried about the fate of three members of young staff of Armenian Mi-24 helicopter. This unarmed helicopter was shot by Azerbaijani armed forces on 12 November during a training flight. Eight days have already passed since the incident, but Azerbaijani side doesn’t allow approaching the helicopter and taking out the members of the staff, thought with the request of Armenian side the personal representative of OSCE Chairman-in-office and International Committee of Red Cross have applied to that country. What’s more, Azerbaijani side didn’t allow the OSCE representatives to conduct monitoring of ceasefire regime violation in the place where the helicopter had been shot. Firing at the staff of downed helicopter for days not only contradicts the norms of international humanitarian law, particularly the provisions of Geneva Convention, but also violates the basic principles of morality and conscience. It isn’t excluded that it may have been possible to save the life of one of the pilots in case of approaching the pilots of the downed helicopter and providing medical care in time. I call on You not to be indifferent and contribute the return of the staff of the helicopter to Armenian side as well as comprehensive, impartial and transparent investigation of the incident,”- reads the letter. Office of Ombudsman
