On unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages, including high-ranking political representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh, by Azerbaijan

B100180/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on 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 150 (5) of its Rules of Procedure,

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;

B. whereas trials of the Armenian prisoners are taking place in Baku; whereas Ruben Vardanyan, the former State Minister of Karabakh, is being tried in a separate trial and faces a lifetime prison sentence on different charges, including terrorism;

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;

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.