The European Parliament adopted by 523 votes to 3, with 84 abstentions, a resolution on the unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages, including high-ranking political representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh, by Azerbaijan.
The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew, Greens/EFA and the Left groups.
Members recalled that Armenian hostages are being detained in Azerbaijan, including former de facto Nagorno-Karabakh officials and prisoners of war from the 2020 war and the ethnic cleansing that followed. They are undergoing sham trials and facing serious charges that could result in illegal life imprisonment sentences.
Parliament condemned the unjust detention of the Armenian hostages and demanded their immediate and unconditional release. Denouncing the ongoing sham trials and systematic violations of the fundamental rights of Armenian hostages, Members called on Azerbaijan to fully respect their right to a fair trial and to have access to medical doctors in compliance with international standards.
Members called for sanctions under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against all Azerbaijani leaders and officials committing human rights violations. They also called on the International Criminal Court to investigate cases of the forced displacement, persecution and ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Parliament reiterated its strong call to suspend the 2022 EU-Azerbaijan memorandum of understanding on a strategic partnership in the field of energy. It insisted that any future partnership agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan be conditional on the release of all political prisoners, the improvement of the human rights situation in the country and on Azerbaijan not unduly delaying the signing of a peace agreement with Armenia and its respecting the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, including the right to return.