Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan took to Facebook to slam the policy of the government not to publish the number of Armenian prisoners of war kept in Azerbaijan.

“The government has reasoned not publishing the number of Armenian captives simply mentioning that the issue is of “extremely sensitive nature.” It is not an acceptable approach,” the ombudsman stressed.

Tatoyan said in reality if the government publishes the number of Armenian captives an opportunity will be created to essentially raise the international pressure on Azerbaijan in the issue of freeing them.

He also stressed that fundaments will be laid to forward additional commitments to the Azerbaijani side, raise the level of defense of Armenian captives kept in Azerbaijan.

The ombudsman also noted that it will also reduce the dissemination of false and confusing information and consequently any attempt of manipulation.