European Parliament Votes 453-31 to Urge Azerbaijan on Armenian POW Release and Human Rights Violations

The European Parliament (EP) has made a strong call to Azerbaijan, urging the release of Armenian prisoners and the protection of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh. With 453 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voting in favor, the resolution addresses major concerns about human rights violations and the ongoing tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Following Azerbaijan’s invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh, the European Parliament called for the release of 23 Armenian prisoners of war. These captives were taken during the conflict, and the EP highlighted the urgent need for their immediate and unconditional release.

The resolution reflects broader concerns about Azerbaijan's actions in the region and urges the country to respect international human rights laws. It also shows the importance of preserving the cultural, historical, and religious heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh, which has been affected by the recent mass exodus of Armenians from their indigenous homeland.

The European Parliament expressed deep worry about the potential loss or destruction of cultural and religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh. It called on Azerbaijan to prevent any further harm to the region’s rich historical diversity, which includes ancient Armenian churches, monuments, and other heritage sites.

The EP urged Azerbaijan to allow a UNESCO mission into Nagorno-Karabakh to assess the preservation of these sites, in line with international standards and commitments. This measure would ensure that cultural treasures are protected for future generations, regardless of the region's political situation.

The European Parliament supports peace initiatives between Armenia and Azerbaijan and emphasized the importance of building trust to achieve lasting peace. In December 2023, both countries made progress by agreeing to confidence-building measures and reaching an agreement on certain sections of their shared border. The EP praised these efforts and called for more steps to settle remaining border issues.

However, the resolution warned Azerbaijan that any military aggression towards Armenia would have severe consequences for its partnership with the European Union. The EU has made it clear that peace, not war, should be the focus of future relations between the two countries.

In response to recent conflicts, the European Parliament welcomed increased cooperation between the EU and Armenia in areas of security and defense. The EP noted that several EU Member States have provided military support to Armenia, emphasizing that these efforts are meant for defense, not offense. The EU’s commitment to supporting Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains firm.

The European Parliament also called for stronger ties between the EU and Armenia, reflecting the Armenian government’s desire for closer cooperation with Europe. Yerevan, the Armenian capital, has been seeking greater engagement with the EU, which the EP sees as a positive step for both sides.

In its resolution, the European Parliament raised concerns about Azerbaijan’s human rights record. MEPs urged EU leaders, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, to address these issues directly with Azerbaijani authorities during the upcoming COP29 conference, which Azerbaijan is set to host.

The European Parliament called for the release of all political prisoners in Azerbaijan and asked the EU to impose sanctions on Azerbaijani officials involved in serious human rights violations. The EP also questioned whether Azerbaijan is a suitable host for such a significant global event, given its poor human rights record.

The European Parliament’s resolution shows the need for peace, diplomacy, and respect for human rights in the ongoing Azerbaijani aggression towards Armenia. By calling for the release of Armenian captives and the protection of cultural heritage, the EP hopes to ease tensions and build a path toward long-term stability in the region.

At the same time, the European Parliament stressed that Azerbaijan must respect Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity if relations between the two nations are to improve.