A proposal has been submitted to the French National Assembly to adopt a resolution aimed at supporting Armenia in its peace efforts with Azerbaijan by signing a strategic partnership agreement and calling for the release of Armenian political prisoners of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) being held in Azerbaijan.

“Since the end of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) in the fall of 2023, Armenia has been resolutely engaged in the peace process with Azerbaijan, respecting international law and sincerely seeking regional reconciliation.

Despite this, there are still many concerns about the situation of the displaced Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and, above all, the situation of the former [Armenian] political, military, and civilian leaders of this region, who are currently being held by Azerbaijan without fair trial guarantees, in violation of the Geneva Convention and the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.

In this context, France has a historical and political role as a friend of Armenia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and an active participant in the European Neighborhood Policy. France is obligated to supporting the peace efforts of the Republic of Armenia and to promoting a strategic partnership with it based on democracy, human rights, security, and development.

It is also necessary to resolutely support the immediate release of [Armenian] political prisoners in Artsakh, whose arbitrary detention [by Azerbaijan] prolongs the cycle of pain and injustice in the region.

What is happening now with Armenian prisoners is part of Azerbaijan’s desire to pursue a systematic policy of denying the existence. This is a continuation of the policy of extermination of the Armenian population, as well as the systematic destruction of [Armenian] historical, cultural, and religious heritage in the Artsakh Republic and all [Armenian] territories controlled by Azerbaijan,” reads the aforesaid proposal.