MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2025/2596(RSP))
On unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages, including high-ranking political representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh, by Azerbaijan
B-10-2025-0177
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Villy Søvndal, Marie Toussaint, Maria Ohisalo, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Markéta Gregorová, Catarina Vieira, Ville Niinistö, Mounir Satouri
✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.
A resolution on unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages, including high-ranking political representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh, by Azerbaijan. It urges Azerbaijan to release all arbitrarily detained Armenians, respect fair trial rights, and calls on the EU to suspend energy trade relations and impose sanctions.¶¶¶
Key points
- Reiterates profound concern about human rights situation in Azerbaijan, especially restrictions on freedoms and weaponisation of the legal system.¶
- Urges Azerbaijani government to immediately release all arbitrarily detained, including Armenian defendants, and fully respect their right to a fair trial.¶
- Expresses concern about ill-treatment, coercion into signing falsified materials, and denial of legal defence; reminds Azerbaijan of ECHR and ICCPR obligations.¶
- Alarmed by forced closure of Baku offices of ICRC and UN agencies, hindering support and humanitarian oversight.¶
- Calls on EU and Member States to prioritize human rights in relations with Azerbaijan; insists all energy trade relations, including the Memorandum of Understanding, are suspended until human rights improve and political prisoners are released.¶
- Calls on EU Delegation and Member State embassies in Baku to urge Azerbaijani authorities to grant access to observe trials of political prisoners.¶
- Reiterates call on European Commission to impose targeted sanctions under EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime on those responsible for grave human rights violations.¶
- Urges Azerbaijan not to unduly delay signing a peace treaty with Armenia, stressing stability and prosperity sustainable peace could bring.¶
Who is affected
- Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan, including eight high-ranking political representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh, and 23 Armenian prisoners in Baku's jails.¶¶
- Azerbaijani government, which is urged to release detainees and respect fair trial rights.¶
- EU and Member States, which are called on to suspend energy trade relations and impose sanctions.¶¶