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1. 110th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
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2. Urgent call for action: Free the Armenian prisoners illegally held in Azerbaijan
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The Armenian National Committee of the UK (ANC UK) calls on all Armenians and supporters of human rights to take action now.
As the world watches, Azerbaijan continues its illegal detention of Armenian prisoners of war, civilians, and political figures from the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). These individuals were abducted during Azerbaijan’s military aggression in 2023 and are now facing politically motivated sham trials. Some of these individuals were abducted during Azerbaijan’s military aggression in 2023 and are now facing politically motivated trials in the Baku Military Court. If convicted, they risk life imprisonment under fabricated charges. The prisoners in question include former political leaders of the now-defunct Nagorno-Karabakh republic, servicemen captured as prisoners of war during both the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and the 2023 ethnic cleansing, as well as civilians.
Among those illegally detained is Ruben Vardanyan, a philanthropist, humanitarian, and former State Minister of Artsakh, who, along with twenty two other prisoners, are standing trial from 17 January 2025. They are deprived of choosing their own lawyer to present them and given one by Azerbaijan. The trials are closed and no international observer or journalist are allowed to attend them. These trials are in blatant violation of international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The Armenian prisoners are not only unlawfully imprisoned but also hostages—Azerbaijan holds them captive as a means of exerting psychological terror on the Armenian population of Artsakh. Their detention serves as a tool of intimidation, aiming to suppress any hope of resistance and instil fear among those who have been forcibly displaced from their homeland. These developments are happening amid persisting propaganda of ethnic hatred against Armenians in Azerbaijani media.
The Armenian prisoners are subjected to:
- Unjust and politically motivated charges
- Systematic violations of due process
- Torture and inhumane treatment
- Denial of access to independent legal counsel
International human rights organisations, including Freedom House, Amnesty International, and the European Parliament, have condemned Azerbaijan’s actions as ethnic cleansing and a direct attack on fundamental human rights. The blockade and forced removal of Armenians from Artsakh have been recognised as crimes against humanity, and the continued detention of Armenian leaders is yet another step in Azerbaijan’s campaign of oppression.
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What Can You Do?
We urge all Armenians in the UK to take immediate action by:
- Sharing this message on social media using the hashtag #FreeArmenianHostages to raise awareness and pressure UK authorities to act.
- Contacting your local MP to demand that the UK government take a firm stance against Azerbaijan’s unlawful detentions and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all Armenian prisoners.
- Emailing the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) at fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk and urging them to pressure Azerbaijan to comply with international law and release all Armenian prisoners.
- Writing to international human rights organisations, urging them to continue monitoring these trials and advocate for justice.
- Write to the Armenian Ambassador to the UK condemn the Armenian governments silence on this issue.
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Why Your Voice Matters
The UK government and international bodies have the power to influence Azerbaijan and demand compliance with human rights conventions. Your support can help bring international attention to this urgent issue and contribute to securing the release of innocent Armenian prisoners.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
Every voice counts. Speak up. Share. Act. The lives of these prisoners depend on our collective effort to demand justice.
https://ancuk.org.uk/freearmenianprisoners/
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| During the ongoing sham “trial” in Baku, former President of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Bako Sahakyan reaffirmed that the issue of Artsakh is about self-determination, not a matter for criminal or judicial proceedings.
Sahakyan highlighted that the Artsakh movement, which began in 1988, was founded on legal frameworks, referencing both the Soviet Constitution and the UN Charter. He made it clear: the people of Artsakh have a legitimate right to self-determination. Rejecting all charges, Sahakyan declared in court that neither he nor his fellow detainees have committed any crimes. |
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| In his comprehensive report presented to the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 3, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk specifically addressed the issue of all persons arbitrarily detained in Azerbaijan, including ethnic Armenians, noting that “they must be released immediately and their rights to a fair trial must be fully respected.”
The High Commissioner also stressed that he is closely following the ongoing peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, expressing the hope that they will “lead to a process of truth-telling, healing and reconciliation,” to which the Commissioner stands ready to lend his support. |
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| The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UN Development Programme (UNDP), and UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have all been told to cease operations and exit Azerbaijan, according to reports by Azerbaijani media confirmed by the organisations.
The ICRC was the only organisation with access to the Armenian hostages and POWs, illegally held in Baku while facing sham “trials”. Without ICRC visits, Armenian prisoners in Baku will be almost completely isolated, with no means to communicate their condition, as the organisation serves as their only link to the outside world and occasional contact with their families. |
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| After more than 500 days of illegal imprisonment, Artsakh’s former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan has sent a message from his isolation cell in Baku, calling for a real, stable, long-term peace based on dignity and fundamental human values.
“My demands remain the same. If there is such a desire to judge me – judge me professionally, publicly, openly, in accordance with Azerbaijani laws and all legal procedures, along with everyone else. In the presence of international journalists and observers – after all, you are so sure of your righteousness”, he said |
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| Ruben Vardanyan, former State Minister of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), announced the end of his hunger strike on March 13. Through his family, he has sent two audio messages—one released today and another scheduled for March 16.
“When I initiated this hunger strike, I had several objectives: to demonstrate that this is not a legitimate trial but a farce; to highlight that it is not just me on trial, but all Armenians and the state itself; and to shed light on the sacrifices endured by those who wished to remain and live here in Artsakh, rather than leave”, said Vardanyan.
“I believe the recent court session vividly demonstrated the fate that could have awaited you had you stayed, and the price you would have paid to live in your home, on your land. Additionally, it has shown that this is not a trial but a farce. The continued denial of my legal rights, including the consideration of my petitions and demands, indicates that this spectacle persists, irrespective of legality”. |
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| The united representatives of all Armenian churches worldwide have issued an urgent appeal to Christians around the world, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan on March 10. The letter was also signed by Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of Great Britain and Ireland.
“We, the united representatives of all Armenian Churches around the world – stand together in the most urgent and heartfelt plea for the immediate and unconditional release of all Armenian prisoners of war and detained civilians currently held in Azerbaijan. This is not just a call for the release of innocent lives; it is a cry for justice, dignity, and the restoration of humanity. These individuals, taken in the course of conflict, have been subjected to unimaginable suffering, and their continued detention is a violation of every principle of human decency and Christian compassion. In the name of our shared faith, we can no longer remain silent”. |
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| Bishop Hovakim Manukyan of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, along with several other Christian leaders, sent a letter to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on March 10 urging the UK Government to take action and call for the release of the Armenian prisoners illegally detained by Azerbaijan
“Following the forced displacement of 120,000 Armenians from Artsakh (Nagorno- Karabakh) in 2023, Azerbaijan has arbitrarily arrested, imprisoned, and indicted on the basis of fabricated charges, twenty-three Artsakh government officials and prisoners of war, as well as civilians”, explained the letter. “These individuals are now being tried in violation of all basic principles of fair trial”.
“The United Kingdom has long been a champion of Human Rights and of the Rule of Law and it is for this reason that I write to you, Prime Minister, and ask you to take decisive action and call for the immediate release of the detainees. I, and the Armenian community of the United Kingdom and Ireland which I represent, ask you to urge Azerbaijan to comply with its international obligations”.
“Prime Minister, we entreat you to advocate for the rights of those unlawfully and unjustly imprisoned in Baku, Azerbaijan and help ensure that each and every one is returned safely to their homes and families in Armenia”.
The letter was signed by:
BISHOP HOVAKIM MANUKYAN Diocese of the Armenian Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland
ARCHBISHOP ANGAELOS Archbishop of London Coptic Orthodox Church and Papal Legate to the United Kingdom
METROPOLITAN NIKITAS, Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain
RT REVD JAMES CURRY Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster
ARCHBISHOP ATHANASIUS TOMA Syriac Orthodox Archbishop in the UK
THE RT REVD CHRISTOPHER CHESSUN The Lord Bishop of Southwark
THE RT REVD NICHOLAS BAINES Bishop of Leeds
RIGHT REVEREND PHILIP MOUNSTEPHEN Bishop of Winchester
BISHOP MIKE ROYAL General Secretary, Churches Together in England |
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| The European Parliament condemned “Azerbaijan’s unjust detention of Armenian hostages and demands their immediate release, as their confinement is based on sham trials and human rights violations”. The resolution was adopted by 523 votes in favour, 3 against and 84 abstentions on March 13. Concerned by Azerbaijan’s closure of the offices of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross, Parliament demands their reopening and calls on EU embassies to monitor trials and visit detainees.
The European Parliament also demands sanctions be placed on Azerbaijani officials responsible for human rights violations and calls on the International Criminal Court to investigate the forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). |
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3. Artak Beglaryan, Former Minister of State of Artsakh, visit to UK
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| Artak Belgaryan the former Minister of State for Nagorno-Karabakh and Human Rights Defender of Artsakh visited London by the invitation of Bishop Hovakim Manukyan. As part of his series of meetings he had a meeting in Parliament on 17th of March.
The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Armenia held a meeting, attended by UK parliamentarians, Primate of the UK Armenian Diocese, and members of the British Armenian community. This meeting was organised by the the Armenian National Committee.
Mr Beglaryan gave the parliamentarians, a detailed briefing on key areas that the UK government should address to support the perilous situation of the population of Artsakh post-ethnic cleansing in September 2023. These included calling for release of hostages involved in illegal sham trials in Azerbaijan, renewed humanitarian support, and commencing investigations into UK businesses implicated in the ethnic cleansing and post “reconstruction”.
He underlined that Azerbaijan is destroying the cultural and historical identity of the region and warned that “without international monitoring, Artsakh is not a grey zone, it’s a black zone”. Parliamentarians were able to ask questions to Mr. Beglaryan, on the treatment of the hostages, the sham trials and for information about existing international efforts aimed to preserve the legal right to return for the people of Artsakh. |
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4. Homenetmen London’s Scouts Day Celebration – Towards Ararat
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On 29th of March, ANC UK was invited to attend the annual Scouts Day organised by Homenetmen London.
The significance of this year’s event was that it was dedicated to the ideals of Ararat Mountain. To us Armenians, Mount Ararat is a sacred, national symbol, representing our historical and cultural identity, also referred to as the the “Holy Mountain”, because it was the place where Noah’s Ark is believed to have landed after the Great Flood.
In a dark period of our history when our national identity is being questioned by Armenian ruling party, it is reassuring to see that our young generation in the diaspora is being educated with strong beliefs and national values.
The scouts were waving the flags of Armenia and Artsakh as well as Homenetmen and the UK.
Well done to the Executive Committee of Homenetmen London, the event organising committee and the wonderful scouts for their successful event.
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5. Calling Armenians in Ealing that are members of the Labour Party
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If you are a member of the Labour Party, living in the borough of Ealing, and of Armenian descent, please contact us immediately.
Please message us or send us an email (info@ancuk.org.uk).
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6. UK Parliamentarians raising the issues of Armenia and Artsakh
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| Lord Alton, chairman of the UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights, made a special guest appearance during the Christian Solidarity International (CSI) UN side event entitled “Human Rights in Azerbaijan: The Trials and Continued Detention of Ethnic Armenians” on March 18. The event also featured Siranush Sahakyan, Philippe Kalfayan and Arpine Avetisyan.
Watch the complete video here: https://youtu.be/9Vz9v-WGnPk?si=loNHCJsYPRWOWzcr |
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7. News articles and recent developments
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| ANORA wins Best Picture at the 97th Academy Awards, making history as the first film with Armenian dialogue to receive an Oscar.
Directed by Sean Baker, the film features Armenian actors Karren Karagulian and Vache Tovmasyan, bringing Armenian representation to the global stage. |
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| On March 18, Switzerland’s Council of States approved Motion 24.4259, calling for a Swiss-led peace forum to enable the safe and dignified return of displaced Armenians to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
The Council of States’ decision follows the earlier approval of the same motion by the National Council, the lower house of Parliament, on December 17, 2024. With both parliamentary chambers now in agreement, this motion becomes law. |
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| “Armenian Students for Artsakh 2025” research call competition focuses on the right to return to Artsakh.
Choose a topic from 17 different titles and write the research paper in Armenian or English. You’ll also have mentorship opportunities from leading experts and the chance to win a scholarship of up to $1,000.
Apply by April 20 by visiting studentsforartsakh.am |
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| UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign a peace treaty on March 17:
“As the G7 met, Armenia and Azerbaijan concluded negotiations on an historic peace agreement. We warmly welcome that achievement and encourage both sides to move to signature as soon as possible”. |
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| Thousands gathered in Yerevan’s Freedom Square on March 29 to defend the rights of the Armenian people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). Their demands include the collective return of displaced people, dignified conditions in Armenia, securing the release of the Armenian prisoners/hostages illegally held in Azerbaijan, and protecting Artsakh’s cultural heritage. |
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| For seven consecutive nights, residents of Khoznavar and Khnatsakh, two villages in Armenia’s Syunik province, have endured nightly gunfire from Azerbaijani troops. The repeated incidents have caused fear and uncertainty, with bullets even landing on the roofs of homes.
“We are primarily worried about our children, who get scared,” Manushak Soghomonyan, a woman from Khnatsakh, reported Asbarez. Soghomonyan said the village school is located just 100 meters from the nearest Azerbaijani army position. She said she and other parents therefore wonder whether they should send their children back to the school after the end of a spring break in early April. |
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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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