Artsakh MPs issue statement in defense of Armenian hostages held in Baku

 Members of the Artsakh National Assembly expressed their deep concern and indignation over the upcoming sham trial of 16 Armenian hostages illegally held in Azerbaijan and called on countries and international human rights organizations to take practical steps to facilitate the immediate release of all Armenian prisoners. 

“This is a process that aims to destroy their fundamental rights and highlight Azerbaijan’s increasingly anti-Armenian policy.

This ‘trial’ against the abducted Armenians unlawfully held in inhumane conditions, based on obviously fabricated charges and numerous procedural violations, cannot be considered legal and legitimate. Moreover, through such processes, the Azerbaijani administration is directly trying to legitimize the genocidal policy it has been pursuing for many years against all Armenians, and especially against the people of Artsakh.

We expect states, international organizations, and human rights organizations that are concerned with human rights and regional peace to take practical steps to facilitate the immediate release of all hostages. We call on all international actors to adopt a clear and principled approach, instead of a neutral stance, to condemn Azerbaijan’s inhumane policy and prevent any attempt to conduct an unlawful trial.

We also expect the Armenian authorities to raise this issue consistently and resolutely in all relevant courts and during negotiations. The protection of the rights of all Armenian hostages and their return to their homeland are among the legal and moral obligations of the state bodies of the Republic of Armenia.

We urge our compatriots to exercise maximum vigilance against informational and psychological provocations aimed at further undermining national unity. We urge you not to spread Azerbaijani theses in the Armenian information field and not to target our compatriots for statements that may have been made under pressure and inhumane repression. We remind you that any statement or testimony of hostages may be distorted by the Azerbaijani propaganda machine; therefore, it is necessary to exercise high vigilance and national responsibility in this situation. 

All of us, represented by our hostage compatriots and friends, are being tortured in Azerbaijani prisons and convicted in courts.

Therefore, protecting their rights and immediate release is a matter of dignity and moral obligation for all of us, regardless of our attitude towards any person.
 
The National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh reaffirms its commitment to protect, within its capabilities, the rights and collective interests of the people of Artsakh, one of the important components of which is the immediate return of captured Armenians to their homeland,” the Artsakh National Assembly said in a statement.