Sadistic Pleasures Silent Crime of Azerbaijan by Asnkhen Arakelyan
is a documentation of hurt, pain, torture, and transgression of human rights committed by the Azerbaijan Army over the Armenian captives. This occurred during the Nagorno-Artsakh 44-day war in 2020.
History is a witness to such violence and cruelty caused by an individual’s decision that destroyed millions of lives. The colonial powers had in the past redrawn boundaries in haste without sparing a thought for the consequences. Stalin during the Soviet Union assigned Artsakh to Azerbaijan. The Armenians and Azerbaijan have never trusted each other, ever since.
The author interviews 14 Armenian individuals on their horrific journey of finding themselves as a prisoner of war in the 44-day war with Azerbaijan. These individuals relate their stories of humiliation and torture to the author. The flagrant violation of the Geneva Convention was rampant. These individuals are vocal about how their seniors deserted them on the battlefield. An utter disregard for the safety and welfare of the men on the front. They do not hold back in accusing the Armenian government of being spineless; for not doing enough to get back Armenian individuals held captive by the Azerbaijanian army.
The author must be complimented for being able to persuade some of the affected individuals to speak about their tryst with inhumanity. The narrative of the book points to the indifference of governments and society indoctrinated to hate others. Years of propaganda and fake news have prevented neighbors from trusting each other.
This book is not to be rated. It would be inappropriate to dissect the suffering and anguish of these brave individuals. The book pierces our sensibilities and I hope it brings awareness to this conflict, its futility, and its aftermath. The question is what is this lack that makes us humans so inhuman?
Word of the day: Translucent is permitting the passage of light.
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