Protesters in Berlin Urge European Leaders to Act Against Azerbaijan’s Detention of Armenian Prisoners
Human rights organizations, activists, and concerned citizens gathered at the Brandenburg Gate today, urging European leaders to take immediate action against Azerbaijan’s continued detention of Armenian political prisoners. The protest, organized by multiple human rights groups, called for urgent international intervention to address what they described as a violation of fundamental human rights.
The demonstration was spearheaded by the Central Council of Armenians in Germany (ZAD), the Society for Threatened Peoples (GfbV), Theophanu Club Germany, Working Group Recognition – Against Genocide, for International Understanding e.V., IGFM Internationale Gesellschaft für Menschenrechte e.V., Deutschland, and the #FreeArmenianHostages civic movement. Protesters demanded the immediate release of Armenian prisoners unlawfully held in Azerbaijan.
Jonathan Spangenberg, Chairman of ZAD, addressed the crowd, denouncing Azerbaijan’s systematic persecution of Armenians. He emphasized that the detainees, including businessman and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, face inhumane conditions and are being used as political bargaining tools.
“The detainees, including Ruben Vardanyan, are enduring inhumane conditions, with reports of torture and mistreatment. Vardanyan is currently on a hunger strike, and his life is at grave risk. We cannot stay silent,” Spangenberg stated, as quoted by the FreeArmenianHostages civic movement.
Protesters highlighted that Azerbaijan’s actions breach international human rights laws, including the UN Genocide Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. The demonstrators called on European governments to implement several immediate measures to counter Azerbaijan’s violations:
Sanctions Against Azerbaijani Officials – Enforce targeted sanctions on individuals and institutions responsible for the unlawful detention and mistreatment of Armenian prisoners.
International Monitoring of Prison Conditions – Urge Azerbaijan to allow access to the UN Committee Against Torture and the International Red Cross to assess the treatment of detainees.
Immediate Release of All Armenian Detainees – Pressure Azerbaijan to comply with its human rights obligations and free all political prisoners unconditionally.
Preservation of Armenian Cultural Heritage – Investigate and prevent the destruction of Armenian cultural and religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Ensuring Safe Return for Displaced Armenians – Establish international protection mechanisms to allow Armenians to safely return to their homeland.
Speakers at the protest criticized European leaders for their continued inaction. Spangenberg specifically called out German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, arguing that Germany, given its historical responsibility, must take a firm stand against human rights abuses.
“Germany has a duty to prevent genocide and protect vulnerable communities,” Spangenberg said. He also announced plans to submit a formal petition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
Sarah Reinke, Head of Human Rights at GfbV, reinforced this demand, stating, “The world must not turn a blind eye to Azerbaijan’s crimes. The time for words is over; we need action now.”
The Berlin protest follows a series of diplomatic appeals made by human rights organizations to the European Commission and the French government. Despite repeated warnings from the United Nations about the risk of genocide, tangible international action remains absent.
In response, the coalition of advocacy groups has planned additional demonstrations across Europe. They intend to submit an official petition to the European Parliament, demanding sanctions against Azerbaijan and stronger intervention to protect Armenian prisoners and cultural heritage.
As the protest came to a close, organizers called on European citizens to raise awareness and pressure their governments to act against Azerbaijan’s human rights violations. The fight for justice, they emphasized, will not stop until the detained Armenians are freed and accountability is ensured.
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