The European Parliament has adopted a resolution condemning political repression in Azerbaijan and calling for the immediate release of Armenian political prisoners and prisoners of war, including former high-ranking officials of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The resolution states:

“Reiterates its deep concern over the continued detention of Armenian political prisoners and prisoners of war in Azerbaijan, including former high-ranking representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh; calls for their immediate and unconditional release and respect for their fundamental rights.”

The resolution was adopted by 492 votes in favour and 23 against. The provisions concerning Armenian prisoners were included in the final text thanks to the efforts of French Member of the European Parliament Marina Mesure, who was among the resolution’s co-authors.

Following the vote, Mesure strongly criticized the EU for failing to translate its repeated condemnations into concrete action. She warned that the EU’s credibility was at stake and called on EU leaders to make all relations with Baku strictly conditional on respect for human rights.