A group of Swedish members of parliament has called for immediate and resolute actions to secure the unconditional release of all Armenian prisoners unlawfully held in Azerbaijan.In a statement, Members of Parliament of Sweden and members of the Sweden-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group Björn Söder, Arin Karapet, Markus Wiechel, Yusuf Aydin, Nima Gholam Ali Pour and Erik Hellsborn condemned the Azerbaijani government’s unlawful imprisonment, physical and psychological torture, and political persecution of Armenian prisoners, including political figures and civilians, amid the ongoing mock trial.
Below is the full statement.
“We, the undersigned members of the Sweden-Armenia Friendship Group in the Swedish Riksdag, firmly condemn the grave and systematic human rights violations committed by the Azerbaijani government.
The unlawful imprisonment, physical and psychological torture, and political persecution of Armenian prisoners, including political figures and civilians, represent not only a humanitarian crisis but also a clear violation of international law.
The arbitrary detention of individuals on unfounded charges, used as instruments of political repression, is a direct attack on fundamental human rights. The ongoing imprisonment of Armenian civilians and prisoners of war (POWs) constitutes a blatant breach of the Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These actions - carried out with impunity—amount to state-sanctioned torture and enforced disappearances, intended to silence political dissent and instill fear.
Independent human rights organizations and legal experts have documented the inhumane and degrading treatment of these detainees. Subjected to severe torture, denied access to legal counsel, and forced to endure sham trials, they are victims of atrocities that damage Azerbaijan’s international reputation and set a dangerous precedent for authoritarian regimes worldwide. These violations are not isolated incidents but deliberate crimes that undermine the very foundations of human rights and international law.
Azerbaijan’s ongoing use of political prisoners as leverage, along with its systematic mistreatment of Armenian detainees, is a calculated strategy to destabilize regional peace and justice. The lack of a strong international response only emboldens further abuses and normalizes repression. Failing to act against these egregious violations equates to complicity, enabling authoritarianism to flourish and deepening the crisis.
This is not just a matter of diplomacy - it is a moral and legal obligation. The international community cannot stand idly by while such severe injustices persist. These actions are not only an assault on human dignity but also a direct challenge to the principles that uphold global stability, justice, and fundamental rights.
Immediate and resolute action is necessary to secure the unconditional release of all Armenian prisoners. The world is watching, and the response to this crisis will define the commitment to justice and human rights,” reads the statement issued by the members of the Sweden-Armenia Friendship Group in the Swedish Riksdag.
