URGENT CALL TO ACTION: FREE THE ARMENIAN PRISONERS ILLEGALLY HELD IN AZERBAIJAN
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). Some of these individuals were abducted during Azerbaijan’s military aggression in 2023 and are now facing politically motivated sham 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.
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.
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.