European Parliament Demands Baku Release Armenian Captives Amid Rights Concerns
- Key Takeaways:
- European Parliament adopts resolution demanding immediate release of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan.
- Resolution passed overwhelmingly with 523 votes in favor.
- Concerns raised over 23 Armenian “hostages,” including former Nagorno-Karabakh officials.
- Parliament cites staged trials, ill-treatment, and rights violations against detainees.
- Resolution calls for sanctions against Azerbaijani officials involved in human rights abuses and ICC investigation into ethnic cleansing.
STRASBOURG – The European Parliament has issued a strong condemnation of Azerbaijan’s continued detention of Armenian citizens, passing a resolution on March 13, 2025, that demands their immediate release. The resolution, adopted with a decisive majority of 523 votes in favor, 3 against, and 84 abstentions, underscores growing international pressure on Baku regarding its human rights record and the aftermath of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Resolution Highlights Plight of 23 Armenian “Hostages”
The European Parliament’s resolution explicitly states that Azerbaijan continues to hold 23 Armenian “hostages,” a term used in the original text, including former officials from Nagorno-Karabakh and individuals captured following the 2020 war and subsequent ethnic cleansing. The document voices severe concerns over the treatment of these detainees, pointing to instances of staged trials and the threat of harsh sentences, including life imprisonment.
Alarm Over Ill-Treatment and Due Process Violations
MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) expressed alarm over reports of inhuman treatment, including the alleged use of prohibited psychoactive substances against the detainees. The resolution details systematic violations of fundamental rights, such as access to independent legal defense, interpreters, appeal processes, family visits, and the right to postpone court sessions for health reasons. These violations raise serious questions about the fairness and legitimacy of the ongoing legal proceedings in Azerbaijan.
Focus on Ruben Vardanian and Deteriorating Health
The resolution specifically highlights the case of Ruben Vardanian, former State Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh, who is currently on hunger strike. The Parliament notes the sharp deterioration of Vardanian’s health, as well as concerns for the well-being of other detainees. MEPs urged Azerbaijani authorities to ensure respect for their rights, including access to medical assistance and independent investigation into their detention conditions.
Concerns Beyond Detainees: Closure of Humanitarian Offices
The resolution also addresses broader concerns regarding the closure of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and UN agencies’ offices in Azerbaijan. This development raises significant apprehension about humanitarian access and monitoring capabilities within the country, further fueling calls for transparency and accountability from Baku.
Calls for Sanctions and International Legal Action
The European Parliament’s resolution goes beyond calls for release and strongly suggests targeted international sanctions against individuals responsible for human rights violations. It specifically names prosecutors Jamal Ramazanov, Anar Rzayev, and judge Zeynal Agayev, urging the EU to consider restrictive measures against them. Furthermore, the Parliament encourages the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, signaling a potential escalation of legal pressure on Azerbaijan.
Conditionality and Strategic Partnership Under Scrutiny
In a significant move, the European Parliament reiterated its call to suspend the EU-Azerbaijan Memorandum of Understanding on strategic partnership in the field of energy, adopted in 2022. MEPs further insisted that any future agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan must be conditional upon the release of all political prisoners, Baku’s commitment to genuine peace treaty negotiations with Armenia, and guarantees for the rights and security of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. This conditionality signals a potential shift in EU policy towards Azerbaijan, linking energy cooperation and broader partnership to concrete improvements in human rights and regional peace efforts.
Implications for EU-Azerbaijan Relations
The European Parliament’s resolution marks a notable escalation in the EU’s stance towards Azerbaijan. The strong language, overwhelming vote, and explicit calls for sanctions and ICC involvement reflect growing impatience within the EU regarding Baku’s human rights practices and its approach to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. While the resolution is non-binding, it carries significant political weight and signals a potential hardening of the EU’s approach, which could have implications for future EU-Azerbaijan relations, particularly in the crucial energy sector.