Ruben Vardanyan nominated for 2026 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize 

ArmInfo.  A group of prominent human rights defenders from different countries around the world have nominated Ruben Vardanyan for the 2026 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize. The nominating group has issued a statement, which is presented below.

"Announcement: Ruben Vardanyan Nominated for the 2026 Vaclav Havel  Human Rights Prize

"We, the undersigned, advocates for human rights across the globe,  hereby announce that we have nominated the Armenian humanitarian  Ruben Vardanyan for the 2026 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize.

"This nomination recognizes Ruben's significant contributions to the  protection of human rights worldwide through the Aurora Humanitarian  Initiative, as well as his dedication to the rights of his  compatriots in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). We firmly believe that  Ruben Vardanyan is deserving of this award.

"The Aurora Prize, which was co-founded by Ruben Vardanyan, Noubar  Afeyan, and the late Vartan Gregorian, has empowered laureates to  continue their vital work in the field of human rights, literally  saving thousands of lives across various countries and continents.  Ruben believes that goodness is eternal and immortal, and that it  gains strength whenever a kind deed is performed. Through his vision  and support, it has been possible to protect the rights of  individuals in dire circumstances, providing them with a second  chance at life.

"For Ruben, the protection of human dignity and human rights stands  above all else. For this reason, his decision to stand by his  compatriots in Nagorno-Karabakh by moving there during their time of  extreme hardship resonated deeply with all of us. In  Nagorno-Karabakh, Ruben served as a defender of the rights of  indigenous people. 

"A pacifist by nature and conviction, Ruben risked his personal  safety and a comfortable future to pursue pathways for dialogue,  negotiation, and mutual understanding in one of the world's most  complex and sensitive conflict zones.

"In 1995, at the inauguration of the new headquarters of the European  Court of Human Rights, Vaclav Havel voiced the hope that "human  reason, decency, solidarity and preparedness to seek understanding  and to live together in fairness will triumph over everything which  threatens them." Ruben is a carrier and follower of this very same  ideology and these enduring values. Therefore, we firmly assert that  his exceptional activities are entirely in line with the spirit of  this award and the principles espoused by Vaclav Havel.  

"By a cruel irony of fate, Ruben Vardanyan, a humanitarian and  advocate for human rights, now finds himself in need of the very  protection he championed for others for decades. He has been  sentenced by an Azerbaijani military court to 20 years in prison on  fabricated charges and is currently being held in a Baku prison  alongside several other notable figures from Nagorno-Karabakh.

"We believe that awarding Ruben Vardanyan the 2026 Vaclav Havel Human  Rights Prize would be a fitting tribute to Ruben's exceptional  efforts and a vital step toward securing his release, as well as the  release of the other Armenian prisoners held in Baku." 

Nominating Group:

Vahan Zanoyan, Author, anti-trafficking advocate, and global energy  consultant.

Marguerite Barankitse, Burundian human rights activist, founder of  Maison Shalom.

Tom Catena, American physician and humanitarian, founder of Mother of  Mercy Hospital in the Nuba Mountains, Sudan.

Julienne Lusenge, human rights defender and humanitarian from the  Democratic Republic of the Congo, co-founder of Female Solidarity for  Integrated Peace and Development (SOFEPADI) and director of the  Congolese Women's Fund. 

Mirza Dinnayi, Yazidi human rights defender and activist, co-founder  and director of Luftbrucke Irak (Air Bridge Iraq).

The exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in  Azerbaijani prisons is still unknown.  Experts estimate the number to  be several hundred. Today, the Azerbaijani authorities confirm the  presence of 19 Armenians. Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity  are eight former and current members of the military-political  leadership of Artsakh. These include former presidents of Artsakh  Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former Foreign  Minister Davit Babayan, as well as Parliament Speaker Davit  Ishkhanyan, former Commander of the Artsakh Defense Army General  Levon Mnatsakanyan, General David Manukyan, and former State Minister  Ruben Vardanyan.

In February, a Baku puppet court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, David  Babayan, David Ishkhanyan, David Manukyan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan to  life imprisonment on trumped-up charges, while Bako Sahakyan, Arkady  Ghukasyan, and Ruben Vardanyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison.  The so-called court sentenced the remaining Artsakh residents to up  to 15 years in prison.