The French National Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Armenian political prisoners held by Azerbaijan, including former political leaders of the Republic of Artsakh. Presented by MP Laurent Wauquiez on behalf of the France–Armenia Friendship Group, the resolution was adopted in plenary session with 183 votes in favor out of 183 deputies present.
The resolution reiterates France’s support for the Armenian population of Artsakh, affirms that the right of peoples to self-determination applies to them, and states that the international community has a duty to guarantee their right of return under conditions ensuring their safety.
The adopted text denounces the charges against the Armenian political prisoners as fabricated and details serious violations of fundamental rights, including inhumane detention conditions, denial of access to legal counsel, the exclusion of international observers, and allegations of torture raised before the United Nations.
It further condemns the politically motivated trials of Armenian political prisoners in Baku before a military court, including three former presidents of Artsakh, senior civilian and military officials, and former Minister of State Ruben Vardanyan, most of whom were detained following Azerbaijan’s September 2023 military attack and forced ethnic cleansing of Artsakh.
Stating that the Armenian political prisoners are being held for political leverage, the Assembly called on the French government to formally demand their immediate release.
Commenting on the vote, Mourad Papazian, member of the ARF Bureau and co-chair of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France, stated: “We have reduced Azerbaijan’s influence in France to zero.”
