On the eve of the upcoming 8th Summit of the European Political Community and the Armenia–European Union Summit to be held in Armenia, around three dozen human rights and civil society organizations from Armenia have addressed an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, calling on them to support the release of Christian Armenian prisoners held in Baku.
The full text of the letter is presented below.
To Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
To António Costa, President of the European Council
Dear Ms. von der Leyen,
Dear Mr. Costa,
Armenia will soon host the 8th Summit of the European Political Community and the Armenia–European Union Summit. In this context, we warmly welcome your upcoming visit to our country. We are confident that these events will further strengthen Armenia–European Union relations and make a meaningful contribution to advancing peace, security, and prosperity in Armenia and the wider region.
Through this letter, we, the undersigned human rights and civil society organizations, wish to draw your attention to a pressing humanitarian issue: the release of Armenian detainees still held in Baku. Despite calls from various international bodies for their immediate and unconditional release, including the demand set out in the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on March 12, 2025, Azerbaijan continues to unlawfully detain 19 Armenian prisoners, prolonging the suffering of their families.
Today, you lead institutions for which the protection of human rights and humanitarian principles is of fundamental importance. It is precisely the safeguarding of these core values and respect for rights that form the foundation for achieving lasting peace.
We appreciate the European Union’s efforts to advance the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and look to your active support in facilitating the return of Armenian detainees without delay. The release and repatriation of all Armenians deprived of liberty in the context of the armed conflict is essential to the peace process and constitutes a vital confidence-building measure.
Such support is all the more urgent in light of deeply concerning statements by Azerbaijani officials indicating no intention to return former officials of Nagorno-Karabakh. In the context of serious violations of fair trial standards, verdicts have been issued without being provided to the detainees and independent lawyers effectively obstructing their right to appeal to international bodies. Furthermore, the suspension of the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the country has deprived Armenian detainees of access to any international humanitarian mechanism.
We, the undersigned human rights organizations, are convinced that the European Union can play a pivotal role in securing the release of Armenian detainees held in Baku. It is evident that for the Armenian public, Azerbaijan’s promises of peace cannot be perceived as credible while it continues to hold Armenians captive and subject them to suffering.
We therefore respectfully appeal to you and to the leaders of all European countries to take steps to ensure that the Armenian prisoners are released and reunited with their families as soon as possible. We firmly believe that the European Union can truly help resolve this pressing humanitarian issue and put an end to the suffering of many Armenian families.
Signed by:
International and Comparative Law Center NGO
Protection of Rights without Borders NGO
Transparency International Anticorruption Center
Armenian Progressive Youth NGO
Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly – Vanadzor
Centre for Community Mobilization and Support NGO
Public Journalism Club NGO
Law Development and Protection Foundation
Direct Democracy NGO
Armenian Committee of Helsinki Citizen’s Assembly
Regional Center for Democracy and Security
“We” Youth NGO of Lori Region
INEDNET – Information and Education Development Network NGO
Rights Centre NGO
Aragats Valley LAG TDNGO
“Helsinki Association” human rights protection NGO
Disability Rights Agenda NGO
“For Equal Rights” NGO
Peace Dialogue NGO
Mission Armenia NGO
New Justice Culture NGO
Journalists For Human Rights NGO
Armenian Helsinki Committee
“Artsakh Union” NGO
“EQUAL OPPORTUNITY” social, youth NGO
“Against Violation of Law” Foundation
“From Artsakh to Artsakh” informational, analytical, investigational, advocacy center NGO