Words of support

“My friend Ruben Vardanyan, philanthropist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, as well as seven other Armenian political leaders were taken hostage by the Azeri authorities, along with a dozen civilians. No foreign observers or media are allowed to be present during the ongoing trials, nor to give any indication of their state of health, which worries us even more on their conditions of imprisonment. For almost 9 months, calls for the release of these hostages have gone unheeded.

It is essential to remind you all that the fight against climate change cannot be dissociated from protecting human rights.”

“The human rights abuses witnessed in the wake of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict demand urgent attention and action,” said Noubar Afeyan. “President Aliyev chooses political retribution over justice. We believe in the inherent dignity and rights of every individual and call on the international community to join us in condemning this injustice.”

Marc Benioff is a signatory of an open letter calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the “Armenian Prisoners,” which includes eight Armenian political prisoners, who are former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh’s government illegally detained following Azerbaijan’s invasion and seizure of the region in September.

Óscar Arias is a signatory of an open letter calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the “Armenian Prisoners,” which includes eight Armenian political prisoners, who are former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh’s government illegally detained following Azerbaijan’s invasion and seizure of the region in September.

Sir Richard Branson is a signatory of an open letter calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the “Armenian Prisoners,” which includes eight Armenian political prisoners, who are former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh’s government illegally detained following Azerbaijan’s invasion and seizure of the region in September.

“President Aliyev keeps committing crimes against humanity and genocide against 23 Armenians hostages in Baku jails. They are a stark warning to those who might attempt to return to Nagorno-Karabakh. Aliyev must release them unconditionally. As the 2023 State Department Human Rights Report explains, there is no independent judge in Azerbaijan to contradict the dictator.”

“The unjust detention of Ruben Vardanyan and so many others being held in Baku violates their basic human rights. For the government of Azerbaijan to be respected in the global community, it is critical they respect the rule of law, especially in light if the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh. They must release these detainees immediately. “

“President Ilham Aliyev could initiate a series of reforms, bringing his country closer to international human rights standards. He could begin by heeding to international calls to release Armenian political prisoners currently being illegally detained, the most well-known being prominent businessman and humanitarian Ruben Vardanyan. President Aliyev would earn the respect and goodwill of the international community, and help Azerbaijan gain a greater status on the world stage, a goal it is desperate to reach.”

“The tragedy continues to unfold in Armenia. Azerbaijan is guilty of arbitrarily detaining former Artsakh officials and destroying the Armenian heritage on this territory.

Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, as well as with the 100,000 refugees and political prisoners held by Azerbaijan. On December 10, in celebration of the International Human Rights Day, I will grant honorary citizen-ship of Paris to the representatives of Artsakh Armenians.

Paris also calls for the immediate release of all Armenian prisoners held by Azerbaijan.”