Three dozen Armenian human rights organizations have jointly sent an open letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Ant\u00f3nio Costa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The full text of the open letter is provided below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dear Ms. von der Leyen,<\/span>\n<\/span>Dear Mr. Costa,<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Armenia will soon host the 8th Summit of the European Political Community and the Armenia\u2013European Union Summit. In this context, we warmly welcome your upcoming visit to our country. We are confident that these events will further strengthen Armenia\u2013European Union relations and make a meaningful contribution to advancing peace, security, and prosperity in Armenia and the wider region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through this letter, we, the undersigned human rights and civil society organizations, wish to draw your attention to a pressing humanitarian issue: the release of Armenian detainees still held in Baku. Despite calls from various international bodies for their immediate and unconditional release, including the demand set out in the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on March 12, 2025, Azerbaijan continues to unlawfully detain 19 Armenian prisoners, prolonging the suffering of their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, you lead institutions for which the protection of human rights and humanitarian principles is of fundamental importance. It is precisely the safeguarding of these core values and respect for rights that form the foundation for achieving lasting peace.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n We appreciate the European Union\u2019s efforts to advance the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and look to your active support in facilitating the return of Armenian detainees without delay. The release and repatriation of all Armenians deprived of liberty in the context of the armed conflict is essential to the peace process and constitutes a vital confidence-building measure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Such support is all the more urgent in light of deeply concerning statements by Azerbaijani officials indicating no intention to return former officials of Nagorno-Karabakh. In the context of serious violations of fair trial standards, verdicts have been issued without being provided to the detainees and independent lawyers effectively obstructing their right to appeal to international bodies. Furthermore, the suspension of the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the country has deprived Armenian detainees of access to any international humanitarian mechanism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We, the undersigned human rights organizations, are convinced that the European Union can play a pivotal role in securing the release of Armenian detainees held in Baku. It is evident that for the Armenian public, Azerbaijan\u2019s promises of peace cannot be perceived as credible while it continues to hold Armenians captive and subject them to suffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We therefore respectfully appeal to you and to the leaders of all European countries to take steps to ensure that the Armenian prisoners are released and reunited with their families as soon as possible. We firmly believe that the European Union can truly help resolve this pressing humanitarian issue and put an end to the suffering of many Armenian families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signed by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n International and Comparative Law Center NGO <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n Protection of Rights without Borders NGO <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n Transparency International Anticorruption Center <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n Armenian Progressive Youth NGO <\/b> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Helsinki Citizens\u2019 Assembly – Vanadzor<\/b> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Centre for Community Mobilization and Support NGO<\/b> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Public Journalism Club NGO<\/b> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Law Development and Protection Foundation<\/b> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Direct Democracy NGO<\/b> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Armenian Committee of Helsinki Citizen\u2019s Assembly<\/b> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Regional Center for Democracy and Security<\/b> <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u201d Youth NGO of Lori Region <\/b> <\/p>\n\n\n\n INEDNET – Information and Education Development Network NGO<\/b> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rights Centre NGO<\/b> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Aragats Valley LAG TDNGO<\/b> <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHelsinki Association\u201d human rights protection NGO<\/b> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Disability Rights Agenda NGO<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n