The Request of Ruben Vardanian's Son to the U.S.

American Fox News has published an article by Ruben Vardanian's son, David Vardanian:

“My father has been imprisoned for over 550 days simply for being a Christian. In the last 10 years, his life's purpose has been charity, especially in his homeland, Armenia. Imagine entire communities being forced to leave their homes, churches, and ancestral graves within 24 hours. This nightmare has become a reality for 120,000 Armenian Christians as Azerbaijan carried out ethnic cleansing in Artsakh. Among those paying the heavy price is Ruben Vardanian, who is now incarcerated for attempting to help.

The last time something like this happened to Armenians, America responded and extended a helping hand. When the Ottoman Turks murdered 1.5 million Armenian Christians during the first genocide of the 20th century, ordinary Americans established the American Committee for Relief in the Near East, raising over $117 million (equivalent to about $2.7 billion today) to save Armenian orphans and refugees. This was America's first major international humanitarian initiative. The rescued Armenians became part of American life. Every time Americans enjoy Sher’s music, watch Kim Kardashian’s shows, or recall Andre Agassi’s tennis victories, they are connected to the legacy of those saved from the Armenian genocide and sheltered in America.

Today, however, my father, Ruben Vardanian, does not have the opportunity to tell his story. For more than 550 days, he has been detained for political reasons simply for defending the right of Armenians in Artsakh to live in their ancestral homeland. He is not alone. At least 23 Armenian Christians are currently illegally held in Baku. Furthermore, civil society organizations estimate that there are over 300 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, including both Armenian and Azerbaijani human rights defenders, journalists, and activists.

The reason for my father's imprisonment is not his political activity but his willingness to support those in dire situations worldwide, including in Artsakh. Before becoming a political prisoner, he was known as a businessman and philanthropist. For the past ten years, his life's goal has been charity, particularly in his homeland, Armenia. As part of this effort, he co-founded the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, a global humanitarian movement that honors individuals putting their lives at risk to help others in Rwanda, Iran, Afghanistan, and beyond.

Just as 110 years ago, today we hope that the U.S. will again support Armenians who are persecuted for their national identity and faith. Personally, I am here today because my great-grandfather was saved by an American orphanage founded by Christian missionaries in Ejmiatsin. Today, we see that Armenians are not alone. Most importantly, President Trump has promised to protect persecuted Armenian Christians both in Azerbaijan and elsewhere. Such support and pressure will ultimately lead to victory. We look to President Donald Trump's leadership and hope he will fulfill his commitment to being a President of Peace. He can do this by making the Baku regime understand that they must follow international laws and demonstrate their commitment to peace in the Caucasus by releasing my father and other Armenian political prisoners.”