Talks on exchanging prisoners of war between Armenia and Azerbaijan have stalled, leaving dozens of Armenian soldiers and civilians in Azerbaijani custody more than a year after the 2020 war ended.
Breakdown in Negotiations
The latest round of Russian-mediated talks in Moscow failed to produce results:
- Azerbaijan demands “terrorists” be excluded from exchanges
- Armenia insists all detainees are POWs under Geneva Conventions
- Disputed numbers: Armenia claims 100+ held, Azerbaijan says 30
- Exchange formula of “all for all” rejected by Baku
Humanitarian Concerns
We remain deeply concerned about the treatment and conditions of all detainees. Access for humanitarian visits remains limited and inconsistent.
Families of Armenian POWs staged protests in Yerevan:
- Daily vigils outside government buildings
- Hunger strikes by mothers of detainees
- Appeals to international organizations
- Social media campaigns gaining traction
Political Implications
The POW issue has become a major obstacle to normalization:
- Domestic pressure on Armenian PM Pashinyan
- Leverage used by Azerbaijan in negotiations
- International criticism of both sides
- Russian mediation effectiveness questioned
Previous Exchanges
Since November 2020:
- 108 Armenians returned in small groups
- Exchanges often tied to other concessions
- Mine maps traded for prisoners
- Concerns over forced confessions