Armenian juror calls on Freedom Forum to facilitate release of  Armenian prisoners from Azerbaijani prisons

ArmInfo.  Ruben Vardanyan's "crime" is simply that he sought to illuminate a path  to a freer and more prosperous future for his people in Artsakh, as stated by Alvina Gyulumyan, former judge of the Constitutional Court of Armenia and the first President of the Union of Judges  of Armenia, at the  opening of the Oslo, Freedom Forum, touching upon the fate of  Armenian prisoners of war held in Baku. 

According to a statement received by ArmInfo from the Free Armenian  Prisoners initiative, Gyulumyan noted that the Oslo Freedom Forum  platform provides an opportunity to involve United Nations bodies in  the process of releasing prisoners of conscience. In this regard, she  called on the international community, including UN structures, to  stop remaining silent.

Gyulumyan reminded the participants of the event that Armenian  prisoners of war continue to be illegally held in Baku, including  Ruben Vardanyan, famous philanthropist and co-founder of the  international Aurora Prize. Touching upon the latter's imprisonment,  she pointed out that Vardanyan's commitment to humanitarian causes  and social entrepreneurship, recognized globally through initiatives  like the Aurora Prize, stands in stark contrast to the fabricated  charges he faces. "He is not a criminal. He is a prisoner of  conscience, held solely for his peaceful advocacy and leadership in a  region  brutally subjected to ethnic cleansing. Alongside him,  numerous other Armenian officials and civilians from Nagorno-Karabakh  are being held captive by the Azerbaijani authorities. These  individuals, including former leaders of Artsakh, were unlawfully  detained following Azerbaijan's military offensive and forcible  displacement of 120,000 Armenians," the first chairperson of the  Union of Judges recalled.

She pointed out that reports from international human rights  institutions indicate inhumane treatment of Armenian hostages. "Their  detentions is politically motivated, a clear attempt by the Aliyev  regime to consolidate power and erase the Armenian presence in the  region," Gyulumyan said.

Gyulumyan demanded the immediate and unconditional release of  Armenian prisoners of war, noting that their detention is a blatant  violation of international humanitarian law and universal human  rights. "Every individual unlawfully held in Baku prisons must be  released without delay. Their continued captivity is a grave  injustice," the first chairperson of the Union of Judges added.

She then called for international pressure on the Aliyev regime,  noting that governments and international organizations must exert  maximum pressure on Azerbaijan to respect human rights, cease its  repressive tactics and adhere to international legal norms.

Additionally, Gyulumyan drew attention to the importance of access  for international observers and humanitarian organizations. She  stressed that all independent bodies must be granted full access to  monitor the conditions and legal processes of all Armenian detainees  in Azerbaijan. "The continued imprisonment of Armenian prisoners of  war is a stark reminder that the fight for freedom and justice is far  from over. Let the voices of the Oslo Freedom Forum echo this demand  for freedom for all Armenians forcibly held in Baku prisons. Their  liberation is not just a matter of justice for individuals, but a  crucial step towards genuine peace and stability in the South  Caucasus," Gyulumyan concluded.