What changed

B100183/2025

B100181/2025

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

(2025/2596(RSP))

- having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas despite numerous international agreements and calls for reform, including persistent pressure from the European Parliament, Azerbaijan has made minimal to no meaningful progress in improving its human rights record, thereby perpetuating a cycle of authoritarian governance and systematic oppression;

Whereas sham military trials of 23 Armenian hostages, including high-ranking political representatives from the former self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh republic and prisoners of war, is currently ongoing in Baku; whereas the prisoners are facing serious charges including terrorism that could result in life imprisonment sentences;

B. whereas Azerbaijan recently released 29 Armenian prisoners of war, a step acknowledged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, but which does not fully address the ongoing humanitarian concerns and systematic human rights violations; whereas this release occurs against a backdrop of continued staged trials, documented torture, and persistent violations of international humanitarian law;

Whereas these politically motivated trials take place in the aftermath of the 2023 blockade and ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan and can be considered as yet another Azerbaijani display of “victory” that is purposefully harmful to ongoing peace negotiations with Armenia;

C. whereas the fate of the Armenian leadership of Karabakh, including former presidents along with other high-ranking officials remains deeply concerning following their arrest by Azerbaijani forces in September 2023 after the complete takeover of the enclave, and whereas these leaders, who were detained while attempting to leave with other Armenians, now face politically motivated charges including terrorism, creating illegal armed groups, and illegal border crossing; whereas their trials in Baku appear to be a continuation of Azerbaijan's systematic persecution of Armenian political figures;

Whereas the UN Human Rights Council reports that the accused are routinely administered psychotropic substances and tortured to alter their declarations; whereas the prisoners have been denied their basic legal rights throughout the process, including access to an attorney of their choice, an interpreter, the possibility to appeal and to receive visits from their family or be granted suspensions due to health issues; whereas the sham trials are not accessible to international observers nor independent media;

1. Calls for the European External Action Service and European Commission to commence comprehensive diplomatic, investigative, and pressure-based actions, including demanding immediate access for international human rights observers to the trials of Armenian prisoners and Karabakh leaders in Azerbaijan, establishing a monitoring mission to track legal proceedings and human rights conditions, conditionally linking future EU-Azerbaijan cooperation and financial assistance to demonstrable human rights improvements, and to advance a strategic approach to pressure Azerbaijan's compliance with international humanitarian law, by offering legal and technical support to ensure fair trials and due process;

Whereas Ruben Vardanyan, former Nagorno-Karabakh leader, has started a hunger strike on 19 February 2025 to protest his trial conditions and his health is rapidly deteriorating; whereas its former president Arayik Harutyunyan’s health is also visibly degrading;

2. Reiterates its condemnation of the Azerbaijani military incursions into the internationally recognised territory of Armenia over recent years; expresses its sympathy with the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians who had to flee their ancestral lands and calls on the authorities in Baku to guarantee safe return of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians and guarantee their rights to cultivate their culture and traditions; welcomes all efforts by the Government of Armenia to provide shelter and aid to the displaced Armenians;

Calls on Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release all Armenian political prisoners and other individuals unlawfully detained in Azerbaijan and drop unsubstantiated charges against them;

3. Strongly condemns Russia’s increasing hybrid attempts to destabilize the political situation inside Armenia and in the region; is concerned that the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) is regularly targeted by Russian disinformation attempts and campaigns;

Condemns in the strongest possible terms the sham trials and systematic violations of fundamental rights of Armenian hostages and calls on Azerbaijan to fully respect the right to a fair trial in compliance with international standards; calls to ensure their immediate access to independent doctors and lawyers; expects an independent investigation into the allegations of ill-treatment of Armenian hostages while in prison;

4. Reiterates the EU’s commitment to peace, stability and prosperity of the Caucasus region; underlines its unequivocal support to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Armenia and Azerbaijan;

Is deeply concerned with Azerbaijan’s order to close the Baku office of the International Committee of the Red Cross, a regular visitor of the Armenian hostages, and calls on the authorities to review their position;

5. 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 President, Government and Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the President, Government and Parliament of the Republic of Armenia, the UN and the Council of Europe.

Calls on the EU and Member States embassies to Azerbaijan to observe the trials and regularly visit all Armenian hostages; calls on the HR/VP, should she travel to Baku, to visit the Armenians prisoners;

Reiterates its call for EU sanctions under the EU Magnitsky Act on all Azerbaijani leaders and officials responsible for the unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages; encourages Member States to consider an ICC referral;

Reiterates its call to suspend the 2022 EU-Azerbaijan memorandum of understanding on the strategic partnership in the field of energy;

Calls for a suspension of the visa facilitation agreement with Azerbaijan and visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic passports, until all Armenian hostages are released and the overall human rights situation in the country improves;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, HR/VP, Member States and the Azerbaijani authorities.