Ombudsperson: All Armenians deprived of liberty in Azerbaijan must be  immediately released

ArmInfo.On May 7, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia discussed the annual report on the activities of the Human Rights Defender, the state of  human rights and freedoms in 2025, and the report on the activities of the Human Rights Defender as a national preventive mechanism.  

RA Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan reported that the number of  appeals and complaints sent to the Defender in 2025 has increased  significantly compared to the previous year. In 2024,  19,781 appeals  and complaints, both written and oral, were received and this number  increased to 22,655 in 2025. "In 2025, a very high rate of compliance  with the Human Rights Defender's proposals by various government  agencies was recorded," Anahit Manasyan emphasized, adding that in  2025, this figure was approximately 70 percent.

The Defender noted a sharp increase in the number of complaints  regarding the activities of certain structures. Complaints are also  being received regarding the activities of judicial bodies, although  they consistently state that they have no authority to interfere with  them. Compared to 240 appeals and complaints received in this area in  2024, 382 appeals and complaints were received in 2025. Anahit  Manasyan also touched upon the state and local government bodies for  which the number of complaints received sharply increased in 2025.  For example, the number of complaints regarding the Ministry of  Education, Science, Culture, and Sports in 2024 was 189, while in  2025 it was 910. The number of complaints regarding the Yerevan  Municipality has increased from 357 to 919.

She emphasized that, despite legal restrictions and  prohibition on  interference in the activities of the courts, numerous complaints  regarding the activities of judicial bodies continued to be received  in 2025, with the number increasing in 2025 compared to 2024.

Anahit Manasyan also touched upon the issue of preventing violence  against children, particularly sexual violence, and highlighted the  unique challenges in protecting human rights. In this context, the  Human Rights Defender emphasized that for the first time, the annual  report included the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and  religion, along with challenges in this area.  She also addressed the  issue of individuals unlawfully detained in Azerbaijan, emphasizing  that all Armenians held captive in Azerbaijan must be released  immediately