Azerbaijan Must Immediately Release Armenian Citizens: European Parliament Passes Resolution

The authorities of Azerbaijan must immediately release the citizens of Armenia. This is stated in a resolution passed by the European Parliament today with 464 votes in favor, 115 against, and 39 abstentions.

The document notes that 23 Armenian hostages (the definition is from the original text) continue to be held in Azerbaijan, including former officials from Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as individuals captured during and after the 2020 war and subsequent ethnic cleansings.

The European Parliament emphasizes that these individuals are undergoing staged trials, facing severe sentences, including life imprisonment. During the trial, they are subjected to inhumane treatment, including the use of prohibited psychoactive substances.

Their rights to independent legal defense, interpreters, appeals, familial visits, and postponements of hearings for health reasons are regularly violated.

The resolution also highlights that one of the defendants, Ruben Vardanyan, continues his hunger strike, which is severely deteriorating his condition, along with that of other detainees.

The European Parliament calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure their rights, including access to medical assistance, and to allow for independent investigations into their detention conditions.

The document also draws attention to the closure of Red Cross and UN agency offices in Azerbaijan, raising serious concerns.

In this regard, the European Parliament urges the EU representation in Baku and embassies of EU member states to regularly monitor the trials and visit the detained Armenians.

A specific call is directed to the EU Special Representative for Human Rights.

Furthermore, the European Parliament recommends imposing international sanctions on individuals involved in human rights violations, including prosecutors and judges Jamal Ramazanov, Anar Rzaev, and Zeynal Aghaev.

The European Parliament proposes that the International Criminal Court investigate cases of the forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. The document also demands the full implementation of the decisions of the UN International Court, including the protection of all detainees captured during the 2020 war and subsequent military operations.

Once again, the European Parliament has called for the suspension of the EU-Azerbaijan memorandum on strategic partnership in the energy sector, adopted in 2022. Additionally, the Members of the European Parliament insist that any future agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan include obligations to release all political prisoners, for Baku to cease the artificial delay in negotiations for a peace treaty with Armenia, and to guarantee the rights of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.