| Your support is crucial! The Armenian National Committee of UK works tirelessly to advocate for the Armenian Cause and protect our community’s rights. We need your donations to continue this vital work. Every contribution makes a difference. Please donate today and help us keep our voice strong. |
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1. UK Government questioned over Armenian Genocide recognition
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| Labour MP Samantha Niblett (samantha_niblett_mp), representing South Derbyshire, raised the issue of formal recognition of the Armenian Genocide in a parliamentary question to the Foreign Secretary. Niblett asked what assessment the Foreign Office had made of the criteria for formally recognising the Armenian Genocide compared with regional and European parliaments, and “what diplomatic benefits recognition could bring to UK foreign policy in the South Caucasus”.
In a response published on 21 October, Labour MP Uma Kumaran, representing the Foreign Office, referred to an earlier answer from 14 July 2026, which itself referred to a statement from 23 November 2021. That statement maintained that: “It is the long-standing policy of the British Government that any judgement as to whether genocide has occurred is a matter for a competent national or international court, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies”. Niblett’s question brings renewed parliamentary attention to the UK’s continued denial of the Armenian Genocide, despite its widespread recognition by historians, scholars and numerous governments and parliaments.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-10-14/34668
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-07-06/15997
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2021-11-16/hl4071 |
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2. The situation of the Armenian hostages/prisoners in Azerbaijan
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| The Armenian National Committee–International (ANC-International) has published a new special report entitled: “Justice” According to Azerbaijan: The Prosecution, Trial and Conviction of Ruben Vardanyan.
The report provides a detailed legal assessment of the proceedings against Ruben Vardanyan, exposing serious violations of fair-trial guarantees, contradictions in the court’s judgment and the lack of evidence linking him to the alleged crimes.
It also examines international responses and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Vardanyan and all Armenian hostages held in Azerbaijan.
The full report is available to read on the ANC-UK website: https://ancuk.org.uk/special-report-trial-of-ruben-vardanyan-in-azerbaijan/ |
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| The European Parliament has adopted resolution RC10-0438 with 492 votes in favour, 23 against and 60 abstentions, condemning ongoing political repression and human rights violations in Azerbaijan. The resolution reiterates demands for the release of all political prisoners, including Azerbaijani opposition figures, human rights defenders and Armenian prisoners and hostages detained in Baku.
It also calls for targeted sanctions against responsible Azerbaijani officials under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The European Parliament further reaffirms that any future EU-Azerbaijan partnership agreement must be conditional on tangible progress in human rights and the release of political prisoners. |
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| During the international conference “Return of Armenian Prisoners” in Yerevan, human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakyan warned that Armenian prisoners of war and civilians detained in Azerbaijan continue to face torture. Referring to reports by the UN Committee Against Torture, Sahakyan stated: “Torture here is not merely systemic or a matter of administrative practice; it has an endemic nature”.
She also raised concerns over the lack of independent access to Armenian prisoners in Baku, noting that the last direct contact with them took place on 24–25 December 2025. “In 2026, no direct observations or the information collected as a result of those observations are available”. According to Sahakyan, Azerbaijan has provided documents and photographs of alleged detention facilities to the European Court of Human Rights, but no recent photographs showing the prisoners themselves, making independent verification of their conditions impossible.
More information: https://auroranews.am/en/news/2026-10-16-torture-of-armenian-prisoners-continues-in-azerbaijan-siranush-sahakyan-reveals-new-details |
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3. News articles and recent developments
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| August Hanning, former head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), was arrested on 6 October on suspicion of espionage and treason, according to The Telegraph, citing Der Spiegel.
Hanning, who led the BND from 1998 to 2005, is suspected of illegally obtaining classified intelligence over 16 years and sharing sensitive information with a foreign intelligence service. The intelligence analysis allegedly prepared by Hanning was intended for Azerbaijan’s intelligence services. He is also reportedly a board member of the German-Azerbaijani Forum.
Read the article here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/06/germanys-former-spy-chief-arrested-for-treason/ |
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| An Azerbaijani soldier who illegally crossed into Armenia entered a home in the border village of Shaki, Syunik Province, and shot an Armenian woman in the leg in front of her three children, according to Armenia’s National Security Service and local officials.
Two days earlier, Azerbaijan had informed Armenian authorities that the serviceman had left his military unit and may have illegally crossed the Armenian border. According to a local resident, the serviceman had spent the night inside the family’s empty home. When the woman returned with her children and discovered him, she raised the alarm and was shot. Shaki village head Manucharyan said: “When we entered the scene, we saw blood traces, but the woman’s life is not in danger”. The armed serviceman fled the house and was later located and detained by Armenian law enforcement. |
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| The Armenian National Committee of the United Kingdom is looking for volunteers to support our work across events, advocacy and parliamentary engagement.
From parliamentary meetings and community events, to our annual gala and the Armenian Genocide commemoration at the Cenotaph and Ealing memorial, volunteers play a vital role in helping us raise awareness and advocate for the Armenian Cause.
If you are interested in politics, international law, human rights or public affairs, this is a unique opportunity to experience first-hand how UK Parliament works, meet parliamentarians, help organise meaningful events, support advocacy for Armenian Genocide recognition, the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh, and the fight against Azerbaijani and Turkish lobbying efforts.
To get involved, email info@ancuk.org.uk or check our website https://ancuk.org.uk/take-action/volunteer/
Stand with our community. Help us make the Armenian voice heard in the UK! |
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Make your donation
Please give today to help our campaigns
To continue our ever growing work in advocacy we urgently need funds to have paid staff. All our efforts are done on voluntary basis. Please donate so we can carry on working for the Armenian Cause and raise the concerns of the British Armenian community.
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You can now donate monthly!
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Why Donate?
The Armenian National Committee of the United Kingdom (ANC-UK) is the largest and most influential British-Armenian political grassroots organisation.
Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Britain and affiliated organisations around the world, ANC-UK actively advances the concerns of the British-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.
The work achieved by ANC-UK is currently on a volunteer basis. However, we are hopeful that in the coming years through the financial support of our community, the ANC-UK chapter will have the necessary funds to open a full-time office employing an Executive Director and a part-time Administrative Assistant.
Setting up an ANC-UK office will allow for our organisation’s goals to be achieved as they have been throughout the diaspora in the United States of America, Canada, Australia and Europe.
As a grassroots organisation, we rely upon you, our community and friends for financial assistance to advance our cause. Your donations support our goal of having a full-time office, to advocate on issues important to all British-Armenians and the Armenian cause.
Thank you for your consideration of our request for your support.
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