The urgent resolution on the Armenian prisoners illegally held in Baku, discussed at the European Parliament plenary session on March 12, was put to a vote today and adopted with 523 votes in favor, three against, and 84 abstentions.

The resolution is entitled “Joint motion on the adoption of a resolution on the illegal detention and mock trials of Armenian hostages by Azerbaijan, including high-ranking political representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh.”

The European Parliament resolution on the illegal detention and mock trials of Armenian hostages states:

- About its previous resolutions on the situation in Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh,

- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,

- About the Geneva Convention for the Treatment of Prisoners of War,

- About the fact that the Azerbaijani authorities have officially acknowledged the detention of 23 citizens of the Republic of Armenia and persons of Armenian origin, while human rights defenders have documented at least 80 confirmed cases of Armenian hostages,

A. whereas there are credible reports in Baku of violence, psychological torture, and unfair trials against Armenian prisoners held in the Republic of Armenia, including seven individuals who have already been sentenced to heavy prison terms in unfair trials,

B. Considering that since January 17, 2025, sixteen detainees, including former military and political leaders of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh, have been subjected to unfair trials lacking transparency and due process,

C. Considering that philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, who has been in prison since September 2023, went on a hunger strike on February 19, 2025, to protest his unlawful detention and trial,

D. Considering that several reports reveal actions by the Azerbaijani authorities that constitute serious violations of international law, including Geneva Convention (III),

1. Condemns the arbitrary detention by Azerbaijan of Armenian prisoners, including high-ranking political figures from Nagorno-Karabakh representatives, and demands their immediate and unconditional release.

2. Expresses deep concern at the reported cases of torture and ill-treatment and calls for an independent investigation into these violations.

3. Calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to comply with their international obligations, including the Geneva Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights.

4. Calls on the EU and international organizations to facilitate the deployment of humanitarian and medical missions to assess the well-being of detainees.

5. Stresses the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to secure the release of Armenian political prisoners, their protection, and the accountability of those responsible for ill-treatment.

6. Calls on the Council to impose targeted sanctions on Azerbaijani officials responsible for the reported human rights violations, including judges Zeynal Aghayev, Jamal Ramazanov, and Anar Rzayev

7. Strongly condemns the decision of the Azerbaijani government to close the offices of UN bodies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, which severely hampers international humanitarian efforts and monitoring mechanisms.

8. Calls on the International Criminal Court and its Prosecutor to investigate the cases of forced displacement, persecution, and ethnic cleansing against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

9. Welcomes the statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights demanding the unconditional release and safe return of all prisoners of war, hostages, and other persons unlawfully detained in Azerbaijan, including high-ranking officials from Nagorno-Karabakh.

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the European Council, the European Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the United Nations.