The French MFA replies to Virginie Duby-Muller, MP, who questioned him in echo of the LIBERTAS request for the release of Armenian state hostages (LIBERTAS)

The Minister

MINISTRY FOR EUROPEAN AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Paris, September 26, 2025

Reference: D25-02471

Ms. Virginie DUBY-MULLER

Member of Parliament for Haute-Savoie

National Assembly

126 rue de l'Université

Dear Representative,

I have received your letter regarding the situation of Armenians currently detained in Azerbaijan has been received, and I sincerely thank you for it.

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring the trials of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, which began on January 17, 2025, at the military court in Baku. It is paying particular attention to the concerns expressed by human rights organizations regarding the fairness of the trials and the treatment of prisoners of war and detainees. In light of this situation, we have repeatedly reminded the Azerbaijani government of its international obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, in particular the right to a fair trial and to dignified and safe conditions of detention, the monitoring of conditions of detention, and the right to maintain family ties.

We have also called for reports of torture and ill-treatment to be investigated promptly and impartially.

France supports neutral and impartial humanitarian action throughout the world, particularly that carried out by the ICRC, but does not interfere in the ICRC's bilateral and confidential dialogue with the parties to the conflict.

The trials at the military court in Baku touch on the much broader issue of establishing a just and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In this regard, France welcomed the announcement on August 8 in Washington, under the auspices of President Trump, of an agreement between President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan to normalize relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The signing and ratification, as soon as possible, of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will complete this process.

The normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the development of regional connectivity and the reopening of borders, while respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states and the principles established by the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, should enable the South Caucasus to become an area of peace and prosperity, benefiting the populations of the region. Alongside its European partners, France will continue to contribute actively to this effort, particularly within the framework of the European Community.

Rest assured that the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is fully committed to this goal.

Yours sincerely,

Jean-Noël Barrot