Calls for the release of all Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan
The Belgian Chamber of Representatives adopted a resolution during its plenary session on July 17, condemning Azerbaijan’s military attack against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and its violations of international law.
The resolution was adopted unanimously.
According to an Armenpress correspondent in Brussels, the resolution states that Azerbaijan’s actions against Nagorno-Karabakh and its Armenian population contradict fundamental norms of international law.
The Belgian legislature emphasized that stable and lasting peace in the region is only possible if the territorial integrity of both Armenia and Azerbaijan is mutually respected. The resolution condemns the threats and rhetoric of the Azerbaijani authorities in the context of the so-called “Western Azerbaijan” narrative.
It also addresses Baku’s illegal detention and inexplicable trials of former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh. Strongly condemning this policy, the resolution calls for the release of all Armenian prisoners and the guarantee of fair trials.
The Chamber of Representatives demands that Azerbaijan ensure the preservation of Nagorno-Karabakh’s cultural and religious heritage, and calls for allowing a UNESCO mission to enter the territory to assess the damage.
The resolution welcomes the initiative to sign a peace agreement and emphasizes the urgency of its conclusion. It called on all parties to respect the provisions of such an agreement.
The Chamber urges the Belgian government to support an international investigation into war crimes, expand Belgium’s consular presence in Armenia, and deepen both humanitarian and military cooperation with Yerevan.
The resolution also calls on the European Union to impose targeted sanctions against human rights violators, expand the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia, and reconsider EU-Azerbaijan relations if Baku does not demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace.
Michel De Maegd, co-author of the resolution and member of the Belgian House of Representatives, emphasized its significance in an interview with Armenpress. He noted that on one side is Azerbaijan, which constantly introduces new preconditions for peace, and on the other side is Armenia, which remains open to dialogue and demands only one thing -respect for its sovereignty.
“We must advocate for law and justice. Belgium must continue to support Armenia and further deepen cooperation with it. The vote on this resolution is an important step in that direction – yet another sign of friendship between our two peoples,” said De Maegd.