Time to eliminate so-called “black list” phenomenon: Arman Tatoyan

Arman Tatoyan, Human Rights Defender of Armenia, issued a statement over Azerbaijan’s declaring some EU lawmakers as internationally wanted, the Ombudsman’s Office informed.

The statement reads: “Yesterday the Azerbaijani media reported that the country’s leadership declared MEPs Frank Engel (Luxembourg), Jaromír Štětina (Czech Republic) and Eleni Theocharous (Cyprus) as internationally wanted for visiting Karabakh and carrying out observation mission during the Constitutional referendum. Moreover, according to these reports, the Azerbaijani court has already made a decision to detain the MEPs and said they are allegedly wanted by Interpol.

Azerbaijan will fail to achieve any result by spreading such useless and fake information. The MEPs are not wanted according to the Interpol database, as it was already officially denied by Armenia Police. With a principle of reverse precedent to Alexander Lapshin’s case, the visits of international figures and journalists to Karabakh will become more frequent. Azerbaijan’s such vicious steps will contribute to this.

The vivid proof of this was the visit of 104 international figures from 30 countries to Karabakh within the frames of the Constitutional referendum several days before. They all, including Frank Engel, Eleni Theocharous and Jaromír Štětina are people bearing real democratic values. The visits and works of international guests in Karabakh have always been and will be considered as legitimate. Constant and hard works must be done in order the civilized world recognizes the Karabakh part of our Fatherland with its democratic institutions.

We need to work jointly and organized on this path, work day and night by complementing each other and making all efforts. With my work and this statement, I assume responsible commitment to work on ensuring Karabakh’s democratic recognition in the world through the maximum opportunities of status and resources. It’s time to legally discredit and eliminate the so-called “black list” phenomenon: no Azerbaijani vicious step can stop the process of democratic development of Karabakh.”