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IUSY denounces the sham trials in Baku and demands the immediate release of all Armenian hostages

Since January 17th, the sham trials in Baku, Azerbaijan, have been ongoing, targeting 16 Armenian hostages, including high-profile Armenian political and military leaders from the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. 

The charges against them, ranging from terrorism to the formation of illegal armed groups are baseless and politically motivated. These sham trials serve as yet another blatant violation of international humanitarian law and a calculated attempt to erase the historical and political identity of the Armenian people of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh. 

For nearly 17 months, these individuals have been unlawfully held captive following Azerbaijan’s brutal military offensive in September 2023, which led to the forced displacement of more than 120,000 ethnic Armenians from Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh. Their continued detention, along with Azerbaijan’s threats against the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia, constitutes a grave violation of human rights and international law.  

IUSY calls on the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and all relevant stakeholders, to take urgent action by:  

- Demanding the immediate release of all Armenian political prisoners and hostages unlawfully detained in Azerbaijan.  

- Holding Azerbaijan accountable for its war crimes and ongoing human rights violations through international legal mechanisms.  

- Impose targeted sanctions on the political and military leadership of the authoritarian regime of Azerbaijan.

- Ensuring the collective right of return of the indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh to their homeland under international guarantees and in accordance with their fundamental right to self-determination.  

- Pushing for the withdrawal of Azerbaijani armed forces from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia and the respect of its internationally recognized borders.  

As IUSY, we continue to advocate for the inalienable rights of the indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh, their right to self-determination, and the international recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. 

As an international organization committed to the freedom, sovereignty, and dignity of all peoples, we will continue our mission to advocate for oppressed nations and defend their fundamental rights.