An international women’s humanitarian delegation remains ready to travel to Baku to visit Armenian hostages and political prisoners, but Azerbaijani authorities have yet to respond to repeated requests for access and security guarantees, Veronika Zonabend said in a statement on November 6.

The delegation, comprising prominent women from several countries, seeks to visit all Armenian captives held at Baku’s Umbaki penitentiary complex and personally deliver letters, photographs, and packages from their families.

Zonabend said she has contacted Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Commissioner several times since June 2026, proposing different arrangements, including a visit by the full delegation, a smaller group, or one accompanied by a representative of the commissioner’s office. None of the requests has received a response.

She also raised concerns over reports in Azerbaijani media suggesting she could face arrest upon arrival in Baku, as well as the continued denial of access to Ruben Vardanyan’s local lawyer since August 25.

Efforts to secure diplomatic assistance from Pashinyan’s government have also produced no results. According to Zonabend, following an August 17 meeting at Armenia’s Foreign Ministry with lawyer Siranush Sahakyan, no responsible official has been designated, and their written request remains unanswered.

Zonabend questioned why humanitarian access to Armenian captives remains unresolved while economic contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan expand and Armenian delegations visit Baku. She argued that visits to the captives should be included in the agenda of such exchanges.

Meanwhile, the delegation has sought alternative ways to deliver messages from families and supporters. On October 1, it handed 1,254 letters addressed to Armenian captives to Pashinyan’s government, requesting assistance in delivering them to Baku.

Zonabend emphasized that the delegation’s objective remains unchanged: to restore contact between the captives and their families and continue efforts until all Armenians held in Azerbaijan return home.

The humanitarian visit remains pending Azerbaijan’s agreement to provide access to the captives and security guarantees for delegation members.