What changed

B100180/2025

P10_TA(2025)0038

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on unlawfulUnlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages, including high-ranking political representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh, by Azerbaijan

(2025/2596(RSP))

PE769.758

European Parliament resolution of 13 March 2025 on the unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages, including high-ranking political representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh, by Azerbaijan (2025/2596(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rule 150its (5)previous ofresolutions itson RulesArmenia ofand Procedure,Azerbaijan,

A. whereas Azerbaijan is holding at least 23 Armenian hostages, including former military-political leaders of the now-defunct Nagorno-Karabakh republic, servicemen captured as prisoners of war during both the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and Azerbaijan’s military attack against Nagorno-Karabakh;

– having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

B.A. whereas trials of the23 Armenian prisonershostages are takingbeing placedetained in Baku;Azerbaijan, whereasincluding Rubenformer Vardanyan,de thefacto formerNagorno-Karabakh Stateofficials Ministerand prisoners of Karabakh,war isfrom beingthe tried2020 inwar aand separatethe trialethnic cleansing that followed; whereas they are undergoing sham trials and facesfacing aserious lifetimecharges prisonthat sentencecould onresult differentin charges,illegal includinglife terrorism;imprisonment sentences;

C. whereas the bilateral relationship between the EU and Azerbaijan is governed by the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement; whereas a better access to justice is mentioned as one of the priority areas of EU support in the EU-Azerbaijan partnership;

B. whereas these hostages are being subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment, including through banned psychoactive methods; whereas their rights are not respected, including access to independent attorneys and interpreters and the possibility to appeal, receive family visits and be granted suspensions on health grounds; whereas this constitutes a systematic violation by Azerbaijan of international obligations regarding the treatment of prisoners;

D. whereas Azerbaijan and Armenia have agreed on 15 out of 17 articles of a draft peace treaty but that both countries remain divided over the deployment of third-country forces along the border and withdrawal of lawsuits in international courts;

1. Condemns the unjust detention of the Armenian hostages; demands their immediate and unconditional release;

1. Is concerned about the plight of the Armenian hostages; encourages Azerbaijan to give the prisoners access to medical care; encourages Azerbaijan to release the Armenians that are still in detention, because of humanitarian reasons and as a step towards improving the relationship with Armenia;

2. Strongly denounces the ongoing sham trials and systematic violations of the fundamental rights of Armenian hostages, and calls on Azerbaijan to fully respect their right to a fair trial and to have access to medical doctors in compliance with international standards; expects an independent investigation into their ill-treatment;

2. Believes that the release and repatriation of Armenian detainees will give a boost to the overall peace process and will lead to increased confidence between both countries; welcomes, in this regard, the return of over more than 150 confirmed prisoners; believes that quiet diplomacy, rather than harsh rhetoric, will lead to further positive steps in this direction;

3. Expresses deep concern at the order by the authorities in Baku to close the offices of the ICRC and UN agencies, hindering both support for the Armenian prisoners and humanitarian oversight, and calls on the authorities to review their position;

3. Encourages Azerbaijan and Armenia to continue their peace talks, to remain committed to a lasting and peaceful settlement, through dialogue, and to refrain from aggressive statements;

4. Calls for the EU and Member States’ embassies in Azerbaijan to observe the trials and regularly visit all Armenian hostages; calls on the VP/HR and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to visit them;

4. Emphasises the importance of creating the conditions for a safe and dignified return of refugees and displaced persons to Karabakh, and to protect the cultural and Christian heritage of the region;

5. Calls for sanctions under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against all Azerbaijani leaders and officials committing human rights violations, in particular prosecutors and judges Jamal Ramazanov, Anar Rzayev and Zeynal Agayev;

5. Notes that according to press reports, millions of Euro funding from the Council of Europe and the EU have failed to improve the judicial system and the prison conditions in Azerbaijan;

6. Calls on the International Criminal Court to investigate cases of the forced displacement, persecution and ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh; calls for the full implementation of all orders issued by the International Court of Justice, including Azerbaijan’s obligation to protect from violence and bodily harm all persons captured in relation to the 2020 war;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice - President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European External Action Service, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the President, government and parliament of Armenia, the President, government and parliament of Azerbaijan, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe and the United Nations.

7. Reiterates its strong call to suspend the 2022 EU-Azerbaijan memorandum of understanding on a strategic partnership in the field of energy; insists that any future partnership agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan be conditional on the release of all political prisoners, the improvement of the human rights situation in the country and on Azerbaijan not unduly delaying the signing of a peace agreement with Armenia and its respecting the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, including the right to return;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the Member States and the Presidents, Governments and parliaments of Armenia and Azerbaijan.