ANC UK calls on all Armenians and supporters of human rights to take  action to ensure release of Armenian prisoners 

ArmInfo.  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:

1. Share this message on social media using the hashtag  #FreeArmenianHostages to raise awareness and pressure UK authorities  to act.

2. Contact 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.

3. Email the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) at  [email protected]. Urge them to pressure Azerbaijan to  comply with international law and release all Armenian prisoners.

4. Write to international human rights organisations, urging them to  continue monitoring these trials and advocate for justice.

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.