Open Letter from Armenian Humanitarian Organizations Regarding the Detention of Armenian Individuals in Azerbaijan
Dear Vice President Vance,
We write to you in an open letter on behalf of Armenian non-profit organizations whose work is dedicated to addressing societal challenges, protecting public health, fundamental human rights, and human dignity.
More than two years after the forced exodus of the Armenian population from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), and despite prior publicly stated assurances by the authorities of Azerbaijan guaranteeing the safe and unhindered departure of the civilian population, 19 individuals of Armenian descent were detained and remain in custody in Baku to this day. Their continued detention raises serious humanitarian concerns and remains a deeply sensitive issue for the families of those detained as well as for Armenian society both within Armenia and in the Armenian diaspora, including communities in the United States.
Available information regarding the physical and psychological condition of the detainees remains limited, and access for family members and international humanitarian organizations to independent and reliable assessments of their conditions is severely restricted. The lack of regular contact with loved ones and prolonged isolation objectively heightens humanitarian risks. In international practice, such situations are typically assessed within the framework of international humanitarian law and internationally recognized human rights standards, irrespective of political, military, or post-conflict circumstances. However, the absence of sufficient transparency and internationally recognized guarantees of fair trial procedures raises serious doubts as to whether the standards of due process are being fully observed in relation to the detained individuals.
Peaceful resolution entails, among other things, a deliberate and sustained process of restoring trust and demonstrating mutual respect between parties to the conflict. The ongoing detention of these individuals perpetuates a sense of incompleteness in the resolution of the conflict and undermines public confidence in the possibility of achieving genuine and sustainable peace. In circumstances where trust between parties remains fragile, such doubts inevitably pose a significant obstacle to long-term stability.
The United States of America has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to play a decisive and principled role in humanitarian matters, including facilitating the release of individuals held in detention in the context of armed and post-conflict crises. Recent U.S. efforts in securing the return of Israeli hostages have served as a compelling example of American leadership’s tangible impact in situations where human lives are at stake.
The United States has traditionally played a key role in promoting peace and stability in the South Caucasus. We, the undersigned independent Armenian charitable and humanitarian organizations, sincerely hope for U.S. humanitarian engagement regarding the Armenian individuals currently held in Azerbaijan, including their unconditional release.
Such a step would be recognized as a significant contribution by the United States and the Administration of the President of the United States to long-term stability, as well as a signal of willingness to move forward without the burden of unresolved fundamental humanitarian issues. This gesture would be received with deep respect and gratitude by the Armenian people, both in Armenia and within the millions-strong Armenian community in the United States, as a confirmation of America’s peaceful, just, and constructive role in addressing the most challenging humanitarian issues of our time.
Dear Vice President Vance, we sincerely value the efforts of the U.S. Administration in promoting peace in the region and sincerely hope that during your meetings and consultations you will be able to give due attention to this matter and support measures aimed at its fair and fully humane resolution.
Respectfully,
- Armenian Association of Social Workers, NGO
Head: Mira Antonyan
www.aaaw.org
antonyan.mira@gmail.com - Armenian Medical Association of Belgium (AMAB)
Humanitarian organisation
Co-presidents: Dr. Hamlet Mirzoyan, Dr. Shake Bakhshyan
Imperiastraat 14, 1932 Zaventem, Belgium
information.amab@gmail.com - “Armenian Mothers” NGO
CEO: Narine Manukyan Garegin
www.haymayrer.am
info@haymayrer.am - Aznavour Foundation
Director: Kristina Sarkisyan
aznavourfoundation.org
partners@aznavourfoundation.org - “Bari mama” Charitable NGO
Founding Director: Marine Adulyan
marina@barimama.org - DAR – The Foundation for Regional Development and Competitiveness
CEO: Alvard Avetisyan
darfoundation.am
info@darfoundation.am - Free Armenian Hostages
International civic society movement
Activist, President of the Central Council of Armenians in Germany: Jonathan Spangenberg
https://x.com/FreeArmHostages
freearmenianhostages@pm.me - “Hurry for good” Foundation for Support of Children and Citizens
Director and Founder: Yelena Hakobyan
info@kdobru.com - “Nika” Infrastructural Development Charitable Foundation
Director and Co-founder: Agnessa Sargsyan
Co-founder: Viktoriia Agadzhanova
https://nikafund.am/en/home/
admin@nikafund.am - VIVA Charitable Foundation (Doctors and Volunteers for Armenia)
Founder: Tatyana Oganesyan
info@viva.foundation - “Way of Life” Charitable NGO
Owner and Chairman: Elena Bagdasaryan
kyanqichanaparh@gmail.com - “We Are Our Mountains” Development Agency
Public organization
CEO: Grigori Martirosyan
https://ourmountains.am
g.martirosyan@ourmountains.am - 301 Land of Wisdom
Member of the Board: Nuna Alekian
https://301land.com
301landofwisdom@gmail.com - 4090 Charitable Foundation
Director: Irina Pahlevanyan
info@4090foundation.am
