Resolution calling for increased pressure on Azerbaijan to release Armenian prisoners unlawfully detained in Baku submitted to French National Assembly

ArmInfo. A proposal has been submitted to the National Assembly of France to adopt a resolution supporting Armenia in its peace efforts with Azerbaijan through the signing of a strategic partnership. The resolution calls for the release of Artsakh political prisoners currently detained in Azerbaijan.

The proposal was submitted to the French legislature on July 22. The explanatory note to the proposal notes that following the end of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) in the fall of 2023, the Republic of Armenia has resolutely joined the peace process with Azerbaijan, adhering to  international law and demonstrating a genuine commitment to regional reconciliation. However, many concerns persist regarding the  displaced Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and, particularly, the former political, military and civilian leaders of this region, currently detained by Azerbaijan without guarantees of a fair trial, contravening the Geneva Convention and the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.

"In this context, France has a historical and political role to play as a friend of Armenia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and an active participant in the European Neighborhood Policy. Its duty is to support Armenia's peace efforts and promote a strategic partnership with it based on democracy, human rights, security and development. It is also necessary to resolutely advocate for the immediate release of political prisoners in Artsakh, whose arbitrary detention prolongs the cycle of pain and injustice in the region," the explanatory note continues.

It is also emphasized that what is happening now with the trial of these Armenian prisoners is part of Azerbaijan's desire to pursue a systematic policy of denying the existence of Armenia. "This is a continuation of the policy to eradicate the Armenian population in the Republic of Artsakh and in all territories under Azerbaijan's control, as well as the systematic destruction of historical, cultural and religious heritage," the text says. In this regard, the proposed resolution urges the French government and the European Union to increase pressure on Azerbaijan  to expedite the signing of a peace agreement with Armenia and the release of Armenian prisoners unlawfully detained in Baku. It also calls for the French government to finalize and sign a strategic cooperation document with Armenia in the near future and  for the EU to enhance political, economic, military, educational, scientific and cultural cooperation with Armenia.