Paul Polman calls for immediate release of Ruben Vardanyan and other  Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan 

ArmInfo.  Ruben Vardanyan's fundamental rights have been violated, he has been deprived of his freedom, but his spirit cannot be imprisoned, and his voice lives on in all those who share his courage and conviction. This was stated by Paul Polman, a member of the Aurora Prize Selection Committee, co- founder of IMAGINE, and former Vice-Chair of the UN Global Compact,  regarding philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, who has been held captive  in Azerbaijan since September 2023. 

"Today we speak of a man whose absence is felt in every corner of  this room, yet whose presence we simultaneously sense beyond its  walls and beyond. We speak of our friend Ruben Vardanyan. 

Ruben Vardanyan is being held unjustly and illegally in Azerbaijan.  The values he espouses speak through each of us today, here and now.  Knowing Ruben, we come to know exceptional moral simplicity; we come  to know a man who built where others doubted, who saw opportunity  where others saw risk," Polman noted.

According to him, Vardanyan created opportunities where there should  have been none, founded schools in places others considered hopeless,  and built bridges of trust across dividing lines many considered  insurmountable. "He saw people and places the world ignored. Aurora  was born from the same vision: that gratitude is not a feeling, but a  responsibility; and that compassion means nothing unless it moves us  to action. By initiating the Aurora Prize, Ruben created an  opportunity to honor those who risked everything so that others could  live with dignity," Polman continued.

He said one of the greatest injustices of our time is that the man  who built such a platform for the expression of human freedom has  been deprived of his freedom. Polman added that this is a reminder of  how fragile justice can be, and how important it is to speak out  against injustice. "Ruben's imprisonment is not just a personal  injustice. It is an insult to the values we honor here today:  justice, courage, humanity, and hope. Ruben reminds us that the goal  is stronger than the punishment, and that spiritual courage often  comes at a very high price. History tells us that the arrow of  justice changes direction only when enough people are willing to bear  the weight. Tonight, among those bearing that weight are Ruben's  wife, Veronica, and their four children, who are always in our hearts  and prayers.

Let us honor Ruben not only with words, but also with our shared  demand for justice. We were all inspired recently to hear US  President Trump in the White House practically promise Prime Minister  Pashinyan the return of Armenian Christian prisoners from Baku. I  think we must all work to ensure that this promise is fulfilled as  soon as possible. Let us call for the immediate release of Ruben and  all other Armenian prisoners of war held in Azerbaijan.

Let's show that solidarity isn't just a slogan, it's a choice made  again and again-especially in the most difficult moments. Ruben once  said that gratitude is the bridge between pain and purpose. I  sincerely hope that we can cross this bridge together. "And until he  is released, we will not rest," Polman concluded.

The exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in  Azerbaijani prisons is still unknown.  Experts estimate there are  several hundred. Today, the Azerbaijani authorities confirm the  presence of 23 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, and 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. They were captured in September 2023, after the  occupation of Artsakh.