BRUXELLES — On July 17, the Belgian Chamber of Representatives adopted a resolution during its plenary session condemning Azerbaijan’s military aggression against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and violations of international law . The resolution passed unanimously. According to an Armenpress  correspondent in Brussels, the resolution states that Azerbaijan’s actions against Nagorno-Karabakh and its Armenian population contradict the fundamental norms of international law. The Belgian legislature emphasized that sustainable and long-term peace in the region is only possible through mutual respect for the territorial integrity of both Armenia and Azerbaijan. The resolution clearly condemns the threats and rhetoric from Azerbaijani authorities within the context of the “Western Azerbaijan” narrative. It also addresses the illegal detention of former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh by Baku and the unclear legal proceedings they are subjected to. Strongly condemning Azerbaijan’s actions, the resolution calls for the immediate release of all Armenian detainees and demands fair trial guarantees . The Chamber of Representatives urges Azerbaijan to ensure the protection of Nagorno-Karabakh’s cultural and religious heritage and calls for UNESCO to be granted access to the region to assess damages. The resolution welcomes the peace treaty initiative and highlights the urgency of signing it, calling on all parties to respect its terms. The Belgian Chamber also urges the Belgian government to support international investigations into war crimes, expand its consular presence in Armenia, and deepen both humanitarian and military cooperation with the Armenian government. Furthermore, the resolution calls on the European Union to impose targeted sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations , expand the EU monitoring mission in Armenia, and reconsider EU-Azerbaijan relations if Baku fails to demonstrate genuine commitment to achieving peace . In an interview with Armenpress  in Brussels, Michel De Maegd, co-author of the resolution and member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, emphasized its importance: “On one side, there is Azerbaijan, which continually introduces new preconditions for peace, and on the other, there is Armenia, which is open to dialogue and asks only one thing — that its sovereignty be respected.” “We must stand on the side of law and justice. Belgium must continue to support Armenia and deepen its cooperation with the country. The vote on this resolution is an important step in that process — another testament to the friendship between our two nations,” De Maegd said.

Extracts: "Attention is drawn to the ongoing trials in Azerbaijan of the former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, during which international observers and foreign press are prohibited from entering.  The Belgian House of Representatives resolution demands the release of all Armenian hostages arrested after September 19, 2023, including former local officials, and the protection of their fundamental rights, including through public trials and medical supervision.   The resolution refers to the draft peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan negotiated in March 2025, calling on the parties to sign it as soon as possible without preconditions.   Belgian parliamentarians also condemn the closure of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN offices in Azerbaijan . The resolution also states that the possibilities of introducing consular services at the Belgian Embassy in Yerevan are being considered .  A call is made to allow a UNESCO mission to enter Nagorno-Karabakh to assess and preserve the state of Armenian cultural, historical, and religious heritage. It is emphasized that Azerbaijan continues to occupy more than 220 square kilometers of the territory of the Republic of Armenia. The resolution supports the application of targeted sanctions against individuals and entities that have violated the ceasefire of November 9, 2020, violated human rights and humanitarian law, or threatened the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia.  The resolution will also be discussed and voted on in the plenary session of the Belgian House of Representatives"

As part of the LIBERTAS campaign, Arnouville has adopted a resolution condemning the unjust expulsion of the ICRC from Azerbaijan and calling on France, the Council of Europe, the EU, and the UN to take action to secure direct access to prisoners in Azerbaijan and the release of Armenian hostages and the many political prisoners in that country.

Philippe Schreck, Member of Parliament for the Var department, questions the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs  in response to the appeal launched by the Amicale des Arméniens de Draguignan  (VAR) and its region as part of the LIBERTAS  campaign. Jean-Noël Barrot has two months to respond to written question no. 8121, “France's inaction regarding Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan.”

Jonathan Spangenberg , President of the Central Council of Armenians in Germany, & Michel Frangulian , representative of the Libertas collective, attended on behalf of the Free Armenian Hostages civic movement to the Oslo Freedom Forum from May 26–28. Their aim was to raise awareness about the plight of the 23 Armenian prisoners (de facto state hostages) currently held in Azerbaijan among: - OFF participants : worldwide HR NGOs representatives, journalist and activists - Oslo public via a protest at Konserthus on May 27 17:00 Statement by Jonathan Spangenberg , President of the Central Council of Armenians in Germany, at the protest on May 27  Statement by Michel Frangulian , member of the Libertas Collective, at the protest on May 27 In front of the Konserthus hosting the Oslo Freedom Forum Michel Frangulian and Jonathan Spangenberg at the Oslo Freedom Forum Statement of Michel Frangulian, Libertas collective, during the protest on may 27: In front of the Oslo Freedom Forum , that brings together 1400 defenders of the human rights worldwide, NGOs, journalists, activists, we, as representatives of the Free Armenian Hostages civic and global movement, are rising the tragedy of 23 Armenians, de facto state hostages of the petro-dictatorship of Azerbaijan , languishing in its prisons, some for more than four years, whose only crime is being Armenian. These 23 persons include democratically-elected political leaders, prisoners of war and civilians, facing sham trials, fabricated charges, and brutal torture, while the media and human rights organizations remain largely silent. These 23 persons are being used as bargaining chips to obtain further concessions from Armenia: a video shows a discussion between Aliyev, the dictator of Azerbaijan, and Erdogan’s wife, regarding Armenian prisoners of war where she says laughing: “Oh, so good, so return them in small portions.” This gives you an idea of how Armenians and international law are viewed by these regimes inside member states of the Council of Europe. Our demands are clear: - we call on human rights NGOs to join our voices in condemning this tragedy - we call on activists and peaceful citizens of the world to act with us by taking our flyer, and thanks to the QR codes learn more on this issue, and sign the petitions. - Finally, we urge the world leaders to impose sanctions against Azerbaijan for torture, mistreatment, and holding 23 Armenian hostages thus breaking UN legislation on Human Rights, The Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War, and The European Convention on Human Rights. In Europe, we call in particular for Azerbaijan's expulsion from the Council of Europe and we call on the Commission to finally follow up on the numerous parliamentary resolutions calling for sanctions against Azerbaijan for its unacceptable behavior.

Jonathan Spangenberg , president of the Central Council of Armenians in Germany, and Michel Frangulian of the Libertas collective, report on their actions for the release of 23 Armenian hostages in Azerbaijan at the Oslo Freedom Forum during an interview conducted by Hilda Tchoboian for Radio Armenia , in Armenian and French, on May 27, 2025.

Context In 2025, a series of court trials are set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, targeting Armenians detained by the regime following the 2020 war and the forced deportation of 120,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023. For nine months, the Azerbaijani government imposed a blockade, depriving Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh of basic human rights. The blockade culminated in bombardments, the forced displacement of the entire Armenian population, and the incarceration of their leaders and civilians—tactics chillingly reminiscent of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The Advocacy Report The report argues that the ongoing and upcoming “show trials” are designed to criminalize Armenians and legitimize their persecution. It further contends that Azerbaijan’s judiciary is deeply compromised, functioning as an instrument of the regime in Baku to suppress political opposition and minority groups. These trials starkly undermine the rule of law and flagrantly violate international human rights standards and Azerbaijan’s international obligations. This report is a call to action for the unconditional release of Armenian hostages. It provides evidence for activists to mobilize grassroots campaigns, for journalists to expose these abuses, and for politicians and diplomats to pressure Azerbaijan through international forums. A Call to Action This report aims to empower its readers by: • Providing evidence of Azerbaijan’s systemic human rights violations. • Providing context on Azerbaijan’s compromised judiciary system. • Equipping advocates and campaigners with research and analysis. • Supporting journalists to expose abuses. • Urging politicians and diplomats to apply pressure on Azerbaijan. The ultimate goal is the unconditional release of Armenian hostages and over 300 political prisoners of various nationalities, as well as holding those responsible for their mistreatment accountable. Justice for the detainees is critical not only to their freedom but also to exposing the broader implications of Azerbaijan’s actions for international law and human rights. Achieving sustainable peace in the South Caucuses will require sustained global pressure, the enforcement of international mechanisms, and an unwavering commitment to justice.