Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ask the International Committee of the Red Cross to investigate (1) the torture in Azerbaijan of Armenian prisoners, and (2) the killing and wounding of Armenian soldiers and civilians since the ceasefire.

During visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan in February, the Minister for Europe and Americas urged both parties to work with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to expedite the return of all prisoners of war. The Minister reiterated the importance of the return of all prisoners of war in her most recent conversations with the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers. Additionally, we continue to urge both Governments to take steps to de-escalate border tensions, undertake independent investigations into all allegations arising from last year's conflict and settle all outstanding matters solely through peaceful negotiation. Although the UK Government has no plans to ask the ICRC to undertake investigations into these allegations, we continue to take careful note of their work in the region and to coordinate with international partners on efforts to reduce tensions and support regional stability.