resolution motion, 10 March 2025
On unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages, including high-ranking political representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh, by Azerbaijan
Motion B-10-2025-0178 · (2025/2596(RSP))
on behalf of The Left Group · Rapporteur: Marina Mesure
AI:In short
The resolution condemns Azerbaijan's unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian prisoners, including Nagorno-Karabakh leaders, and calls for their release and fair treatment. It demands EU entry bans for Azerbaijani officials involved, ICC investigation of alleged crimes, and suspension of energy cooperation until human rights improve.
Key points
- Calls for unconditional release and safe return of all unlawfully detained prisoners of war, hostages, and others, including high-ranking Nagorno-Karabakh officials.
- Strongly condemns sham trials against them for violating due process, lacking transparency, and using fabricated or exaggerated charges.
- Invites authorities to abide by international commitments, ensuring prisoners are protected from torture and ill-treatment, with medication, food, and water.
- Calls for EU entry bans for Azerbaijani officials responsible for unlawful detentions and human rights violations, including named judges and prosecutors.
- Calls on the ICC and its Chief Prosecutor to investigate cases on forced displacement, persecution, and ethnic cleansing against Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh.
- Expresses concern over Azerbaijan's shutdown of UN agencies and ICRC office in Baku, hindering humanitarian oversight.
- Concerned about continued repression of civil society and independent media in Azerbaijan.
- Reiterates calls to suspend strategic energy partnership with Azerbaijan and demands enforcement of human rights commitments with clear benchmarks.
- Regrets Azerbaijan's non-ratification of several ILO instruments on forced labour, occupational safety, and social security.
Who is affected
- Armenian prisoners of war and detained officials from Nagorno-Karabakh, who would be released and treated fairly.
- Azerbaijani officials responsible for detentions and human rights violations, who would face EU entry bans.
- Azerbaijan, which would face suspension of energy partnership and must meet human rights benchmarks.
Figures and deadlines
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Text 20 paragraphs
B100178/2025
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 its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan,
– having regard to Rules 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
whereas there are over 300 political prisoners in Azerbaijan as well as 23 Armenian prisoners of war, including leaders from Nagorno-Karabakh; whereas many of those arrested were taken into Azerbaijani custody after the September 2023 Azerbaijani military aggression;
whereas Israel receives Azeri oil in exchange for weapons and drones fueling the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh;
whereas those detentions appear to be part of a broader effort by Azerbaijan to intimidate Armenians who were part of its governance structures.
whereas political prisoner and 2024 Sakharov Prize finalist Gubad Ibadoghlu remains under house arrest and in a dire health condition;
Calls for the unconditional release and safe return of all the prisoners of war, hostages and other detained individuals unlawfully detained in Azerbaijan, including high-ranking officials from Nagorno-Karabakh ; welcomes the statement of UN High Commissioner on Human rights in that regard;
Strongly condemns the shams trials brought against them in violations of due process, lack of transparency, and the use of fabricated or exaggerated charges;
Read the rest (8 paragraphs)
Invites the authorities to abide by their international commitment and ensure correct treatment of prisoners, protected from torture and other ill-treatment, with medication, food and water;
Calls for a ban on entry to the EU institutions for Azerbaijani officials responsible for unlawful detentions and human rights violations, including but not limited to presiding judge Zeynal Agayev, judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev, and prosecutors;
Calls upon the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its Chief Prosecutor to investigate cases submitted by the Center for Truth and Justice and Nagorno-Karabakh Ombudspersons on the forced displacement, persecution, and ethnic cleansing against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh;
Is particularly concerned by the Azerbaijan’s decision to shut down UN agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) office in Baku, only entity with access to detained former officials, hence hindering humanitarian oversight;
Is concerned more generally about the continued repression of civil society and independent media in Azerbaijan ;
Reiterates its calls to immediately suspend the strategic partnership with Azerbaijan in the field of energy ; strongly calls on the effective enforcement by Azerbaijan of human rights commitments with clear benchmarks, including the release of all political prisoners, efforts to ensure peace and security in the region and respect of internationally recognized borders of its neighboring countries
Regrets further that Azerbaijan has not ratified several important International Labour Organisation’s intruments on forced labour, occupational safety or social security ;
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, Member States and the President, Government and Parliament of Azerbaijan.