To Whom It May Concern,
 
We write to you on behalf of the Armenian community to urgently draw attention to the unjust imprisonment and mistreatment of Ruben Vardanyan by Azerbaijani authorities. His life is in grave danger, and immediate international intervention is necessary to prevent further human rights violations.
 
Who is Ruben Vardanyan?
 
Ruben Vardanyan is a renowned Armenian philanthropist, businessman, and former Minister of State of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). As a visionary leader, he has made significant contributions to global initiatives in education, economic development, and humanitarian aid. Through his work with institutions such as the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and UWC Dilijan College, he has supported thousands of people worldwide.
 
In Armenia, he has played a key role in strengthening the economy, promoting sustainable development, and fostering peace in the South Caucasus. His dedication to humanitarian causes and his efforts to protect the Armenian people have earned him international recognition.
 
Unjust Imprisonment and Inhumane Treatment
 
Following Azerbaijan’s military aggression in Artsakh in September 2023, Ruben Vardanyan was unlawfully arrested while attempting to leave the region along with thousands of displaced Armenians. Since his detention, reports have emerged indicating that he is being subjected to inhumane treatment, physical abuse, and psychological pressure while in Azerbaijani custody.
 
There are credible concerns that his life is at serious risk due to mistreatment and Azerbaijan’s well-documented hostility toward Armenians. Given Azerbaijan’s history of human rights violations, including the torture and execution of Armenian prisoners of war, the international community cannot remain silent while Ruben Vardanyan’s life hangs in the balance.
 
Why Must He Be Freed?
1.Political Persecution – Ruben Vardanyan is a humanitarian and public figure, not a criminal. His arrest is a politically motivated attempt to silence Armenian leadership.
2.Human Rights Violations – His imprisonment violates international human rights laws, including protections under the Geneva Conventions.
3.Risk of Torture and Death – Substantial evidence suggests that Azerbaijani authorities have mistreated Armenian detainees in the past. His safety cannot be guaranteed under Azerbaijani custody.
4.Threat to Peace and Stability – The ongoing persecution of Armenian figures by Azerbaijan undermines regional stability and peace efforts.
 
A Unified Armenian Voice Demanding His Immediate Release
 
Armenians around the world stand together in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Ruben Vardanyan. His continued detention is not only a violation of his fundamental rights but also a grave injustice against all who advocate for peace, humanitarianism, and human dignity.
 
We call upon your organization to:
•Publicly condemn Azerbaijan’s illegal detention of Ruben Vardanyan.
•Demand his immediate release and protection from further harm.
•Apply diplomatic and legal pressure on Azerbaijan to uphold international law.
 
Time is of the essence. The international community must act before it is too late. We urge you to take immediate steps to ensure his safety and freedom.
 
Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden

Urgent Concerns Regarding COP29 in Azerbaijan

On behalf of the Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden (UAAS), we seek your urgent attention regarding the upcoming COP29 conference, to be held in Azerbaijan in November 2024. As a Scandinavian grassroots organization, we ask you to raise the issues outlined below at COP29 and to use your position as an important part of the Swedish Civil Society to take a firm stand on these matters.

Holding such a prominent event in a country with a history of severe human rights abuses, including ethnic cleansing of an indigenous population less than a year ago, is deeply troubling and runs counter to the principles of justice that COP embodies.

Ethnic Cleansing and War Crimes: After nine months of starvation and blockade on the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh/Artsakh, Azerbaijan launched a military operation on September 19, 2023, committing ethnic cleansing of 150,000 Armenians. The European Parliament condemned this act on October 5, 2023. Azerbaijan had previously launched a full-scale war in 2020, resulting in mass casualties, including the use of banned cluster munitions. Azerbaijan is using COP29 to “greenwash” these crimes, and we urge you to advocate for the right of displaced Armenians to return home.

Illegal Detention of POWs: Azerbaijan continues to detain Armenian prisoners of war and captives, violating international laws. We ask you to support their immediate release.

Environmental Concerns: Azerbaijan’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels contradicts the goals of COP29. The country's plans to increase gas production directly oppose global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Human Rights and Cultural Heritage: Azerbaijan's repression of journalists, activists, and opposition members is well-documented, with cases of arbitrary detention and harassment. Additionally, despite international orders, Azerbaijan continues to destroy Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno Karabakh, further destabilizing the region.

Lastly, Azerbaijan has banned European parliamentarians who criticized its human rights record, showcasing its disregard for democratic principles. We count on your support in addressing these concerns.

Our Demands from you as an important part of the Swedish Civil Society:

We respectfully urge you, as an important part of the Swedish Civil Society, to take decisive action and raise the following demands at COP29 and through other channels:

  1. Public Condemnation of Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Violations: Utilize your platform to publicly denounce Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh and its ongoing violations of international humanitarian law. It is imperative to call on the international community to hold Azerbaijan accountable for these atrocities.
  2. Insist on the Immediate Release of Armenian POWs and Captives: Urge Azerbaijan to fulfill its international obligations by releasing all Armenian prisoners of war and captives. Demand transparency regarding their status and ensure their treatment in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.
  3. Call for Sanctions and Diplomatic Pressure: Advocate for targeted sanctions against Azerbaijani officials responsible for ethnic cleansing, war crimes, illegal detention of POWs, and suppression of free speech. Urge Sweden and the EU to increase diplomatic pressure on Azerbaijan to respect human rights and international law.
  4. Demand the Safe Return of the Armenian Population to Nagorno Karabakh: Emphasize the right of the displaced Armenian population to return to their homeland under international protection. Insist that peace in the region is only achievable when Azerbaijan guarantees their safe return and respects their fundamental rights.
  5. Raise Concerns about Azerbaijan’s Environmental Policies: Highlight the contradiction between hosting COP29 and Azerbaijan’s continued investment in fossil fuels. Advocate for stronger environmental commitments and urge Azerbaijan to align its policies with the global climate agenda.
  6. Demand Protection of Armenian Cultural Heritage: Insist that Azerbaijan meets its international obligations to protect Armenian cultural heritage. Call on the international community to take concrete steps to prevent further destruction of heritage sites and ensure accountability for damages already caused.
  7. Oppose Azerbaijan’s Attempts to Suppress Democratic Voices: Challenge Azerbaijan’s attempts to silence European parliamentarians and political voices who speak out against its human rights abuses. Advocate for the inclusion of all voices in global dialogues such as COP29 and stand against the use of intimidation tactics to suppress dissent.
  8. Encourage Sweden and the EU to Reevaluate Their Relations with Azerbaijan: Demand that Sweden and the EU reassess their political, economic, and diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan in light of its human rights record. Any further cooperation should be conditional on Azerbaijan’s adherence to international human rights standards.

 

We are fully committed to supporting you throughout this process and stand ready to provide any assistance or additional information you may require. Whether through detailed reports, expert consultations, or facilitating dialogue with affected communities, we are here to collaborate in any way that helps strengthen your efforts to address these urgent issues.

 

Sincerely,
Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden (UAAS)

 

 

Մայիս 8, 2024

 

Հայաստանի Հանրապետության Տավուշի մարզում տեղի ունեցող այսպես կոչված «սահմանազատման» գործընթացը կազմակերպվում է ներկայիս դե ֆակտո իշխանությունների կողմից ընդունված անթույլատրելի և հայ ազգի կողմից անընդունելի որոշումների հիման վրա։ Այն զուրկ է իրավական հիմքերից և հակասում է սահմանազատման միջազգային սկզբունքներին։ Նման գործընթացը չի կարող տեղի ունենալ պետության անվտանգային հիմքերի փլուզմամբ և ժողովրդի իրավունքների, ինչպես նաև ՀՀ Սահմանադրության ոտնահարումով։ 

 

ՀՀ դե ֆակտո վարչապետ Նիկոլ Փաշինյանի միանձնյա որոշումները հակասում են Հայաստանի Հանրապետության և հայ ժողովրդի շահերին։

 

Կարևոր է նշել նաև, որ ՀՀ-ում իրավական ողջ համակարգը վերածվել է իշխանությունների կամակատարի և պատժիչ գործիքի։ Անհիմն քրեական հետապնդումները, ձերբակալությունները և բիրտ ուժի կիրառումը դարձել են ներկայիս «ժողովրդավար» իշխանության գործելաոճը։

 

Տավուշի չորս գյուղերի տարածքների հանձնումը, անվտանգային գոտիների ոչնչացումը կհանգեցնի այդ գյուղերի հայաթափման։ Ոչ միայն հարակից գյուղերը կհայտնվեն թշնամու անմիջական նշանառության ներքո, այլև ստրատեգիական նշանակություն ունեցող Իրան-Հայաստան-Վրաստան միջպետական ճանապարհը։ Ամբողջովին փլուզման կենթարկվի Տավուշի պաշտպանական գիծը։

 

Ի հավելումն վերը նշված հակապետական և հակասահմանադրական որոշումների՝ Ն. Փաշինյանը կասկածի տակ է դնում նաև Հայոց Ցեղասպանությունը և 1,5 միլիոն անմեղ զոհերի հիշատակը։ Նա նաև կասկածի տակ է դնում Հայաստանի՝ որպես անկախ պետության լինելիությունը՝ միևնույն ժամանակ հնարավոր բոլոր միջոցներով արագացնելով ՀՀ անկմանը հանգեցնող իրողությունները:

 

Ն. Փաշինյանը պատրանք է ստեղծում, որ մեր «Պատմական Հայրենիքը» անհիմն հիշողություն է, որ մեր Հայրենիքը ներկայիս պետության սահմաններն են, որը ևս, պատառ-պատառ անելով, թշնամուն նվիրելով, վերածում է Պատմականի։

 

Մենք՝ Շվեդիայի Հայկական Միությունների Համադրող Կենտրոնը, մեր մեծագույն անվստահությունն ենք հայտնում ՀՀ կոլլաբորացիոն Կառավարությանը՝ ի դեմս Նիկոլ Փաշինայինի, պահանջում ենք անհապաղ դադարեցնել միակողմանի զիջումները և ՀՀ անվտանգությանը և գոյությանը սպառնացող բոլոր գործընթացները։

 

Մենք պահանջում ենք Ն. Փաշինյանի և ՀՀ Կառավարության հրաժարականը։

 

 

April 26, 2024

 

While Azerbaijani people and media celebrate their president Aliyev and rejoice in the transfer of recent Armenian border villages to Azerbaijan, a completely different sentiment prevails on the streets of the Tavush region, the rest of Armenia and among the diaspora Armenians.

 

Following the recent events in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), where Azerbaijani forces seized control of this centuries-old Armenian region, the subsequently ethnic cleansing of Armenians, the recent surrender of the Armenian villages has sparked further fear and frustration among Armenians. Armenians in Sweden share these sentiments.

 

In an interview with a group of journalists, Prime Minister Pashinyan stressed that border demarcation is crucial for the future peace process and expressed hope for the restoration of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia within this framework. The Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden urges PM Pashinyan not to risk Armenia's future by relying solely on vague hope but to adopt a clear agenda and preconditions to make the peace process viable. Additionally, the UAAS calls on the Prime Minister to be transparent about his plans and objectives in the border demarcation process.

 

The lack of transparency, combined with recent statements from Andranik Kocharyan, a senior member of Pashayan’s ruling Civil Contract party and chair of the parliament's defence committee, along with the remarks by Turkish President Erdogan and Prime Minister Pashinyan himself, raises further concerns about the Prime Minister's willingness to make further unilateral concessions; including the removal of the subject of acknowledgment and recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Turkish government.

 

Andranik Kocharyan has proposed "verifying" the number of victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide by documenting the names of all Armenians killed during the genocide and investigating "where, how, and under what conditions" they perished. Turkey's President Erdogan recently mentioned the Armenian Genocide, urging to move away from what he termed "baseless memories" and focus on "present realities" rather than "fictional historical narratives." He expressed hope that Armenia would break free from the shadow cast by the Armenian diaspora and embrace a brighter future. On April 24, 2024, in a statement marking the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Prime Minister Pashinyan urged Armenians to liberate themselves from the trauma of the 1915 genocide. The UAAS strongly believes that these statements align with the broader agenda have been set by Turkey and Azerbaijan.

 

The Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden urges Prime Minister Pashinyan to stop adhering to an agenda that does not prioritize Armenian interests and to refrain from pursuing actions that are detrimental to Armenia and its people. Releasing all Armenian political and war prisoners in Baku, demanding recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey and aligning the border demarcation process with Armenian interests must all be prerequisites and steps toward a peace process. Furthermore, the UAAS condemns Prime Minister Pashinyan’ s irresponsible and ill-considered actions and his policy of capitulation in the face of Azerbaijan's ongoing territorial claims against Armenia.

 

Board of Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden

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Konflikten om Nagorono-Karabach

Konflikten om Nagorono-Karabach