Society must do what authorities fail to do – Larisa Alaverdyan

During a rally calling for the release of Armenian prisoners unlawfully held in Baku and the liberation of the political and military leadership, Armenia’s first Human Rights Defender, Larisa Alaverdyan, emphasized the role of civil society activism, especially in the context of visits by high-ranking international officials.

“Public pressure is logical, especially when a representative of a superpower is present in the region,” Alaverdyan said.

According to her, the current Armenian authorities not only fail to show sufficient will to include the issue of returning prisoners in the peace agreement, but in fact obstruct the process.

“Society must do what the authorities fail to do,” she said, urging citizens to be demanding before the international community.

Alaverdyan is convinced that the return of prisoners is not merely a humanitarian issue. If the process is carried out within the proper legal framework, it will provide an opportunity to raise the country’s reputation on the international stage.