French MP Proposes Bill to Force Azerbaijan to Return Armenian Prisoners of War

French National Assembly member and President of the France-Artsakh Friendship Group Guy Tisiyan has submitted a draft bill to the National Assembly that, once passed, would mandate Azerbaijan to immediately return Armenian prisoners of war. Tisiyan made this announcement during a conversation with Armenpress in Yerevan, summarizing the visit of French parliamentarians to Armenia.

“Mr. Tisiyan, you were in Armenia with a large delegation on a significant day for the Armenian people—the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Armenian Genocide. What was the purpose of your visit, and what meetings did you have here?”

“The reason we came to Yerevan on this day is that April 24 is an extremely important day for remembrance, as it marks a significant commemoration of the Armenian Genocide for us as well. Honestly, we would have wanted to come during the war and immediately after the war. My initial thought was to celebrate the birth festivities and festivals of hope and beauty with the Armenians in Armenia, but at that moment it was not possible. We then decided that we absolutely had to be in Armenia on April 24. This time, we had double reasons for coming to Armenia—not only for the significant commemorative event of the genocide but also to honor the memory of all the young people who fell during this recent war.”

“Experts assess that following U.S. President Biden's recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the issue of international recognition has become active again. What are your predictions? Will there be a chain reaction of recognitions from the international community?”

“I would say that it has a very significant symbolic value and will have repercussions. Yes, 106 years have passed, but when the most powerful country in the world recognizes the genocide, it has a certain impact worldwide, and that is a crucial fact under these circumstances. I say this because behind this statement, I hear the will of the United States to re-engage in their proper role as co-chairing the Minsk Group. That is, to reactivate the Minsk Group co-chairmanship as the only platform for the peace process. In addition to this event, there is also the fact that President Macron has called President Putin, and they had a direct conversation on very important topics, especially concerning Armenia and the events taking place here. This once again demonstrates the willingness of all parties to reactivate the Minsk Group co-chairmanship platform to resume the negotiation process—not only to ensure the security of the people living in Artsakh but also to secure Armenia’s safety. I believe that major powers in the world are gradually beginning to understand the nature of the current situation, and it is in their interest to establish long-term sustainable peace in this region. This issue needs to be addressed at the UN level; I see no reason why the UN should help one country and not assist Armenia. I believe that everything must be done at the UN level to restore peace here. Over these days, I have been a witness to the bravery and courage of the Armenian people across the region. I think that Armenia deserves support.”

“Azerbaijan continues to hold Armenian prisoners of war, violating the trilateral statement. In this regard, what can France, as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, do to promote the return of the prisoners, and what role does the international community have in this?”

“There are laws that govern wars, there are laws that require the immediate return of prisoners. There is a law that mandates that a prisoner of war must return to their family. Armenia has fulfilled this on its part. And France, as a country of law, demands and will strongly demand that this right be implemented. Just now, I have placed a draft bill on the desk of the President of the French National Assembly. It will have the status of law, which the National Assembly must first decide on, and then the French government will implement it as law, taking all necessary measures to compel Azerbaijan to return the Armenian prisoners of war. I believe that the European community will also take similar steps. I think that many individual European countries will carry out the same steps on their own behalf.”