Question for U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Andrew Rosindell, Conservative MP for Romford in the U.K. House of Commons in a written question to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 4 October 2024 asked: “To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Azerbaijani counterpart on the detention of (a) Ruben Vardanyan and (b) Armenian political prisoners in Baku.”
On 14 October 2024 Stephen Doughty Labour MP and Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), sent this written response: “The UK Government is aware of the detention of Ruben Vardanyan and other ethnic Armenians as a result of September 2023’s military action in Nagorno-Karabakh. We have consistently urged the Azerbaijani authorities, including ahead of COP29, to ensure that those in detention are afforded a fair trial and are provided safe conditions, in accordance with Azerbaijan’s international obligations and commitments. We have been consistent in calling for the release of all remaining prisoners of war, and the return of the remains of the deceased, from the conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan. British Embassy Baku regularly raises our concerns with the Azerbaijani authorities at senior levels.”
SOURCE: Written questions and answers – Written questions, answers and statements – UK Parliament
Question for U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
In a related matter, on 7 October 2024, Baroness Cox, Crossbench, asked “His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Azerbaijan since July regarding the release of Armenian hostages.”
On 21 October 2024, Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Labour, responded: “The UK continues to urge the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that those detained during its longstanding conflict with Armenia, or during September 2023’s military action in Nagorno-Karabakh, are afforded a fair trial and provided safe conditions, in accordance with Azerbaijan’s international obligations and commitments. We have been consistent in calling for the release of all remaining prisoners of war, and the return of the remains of the deceased, throughout the period of conflict in the region. The Foreign Secretary met Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers in July and urged them to seize the opportunity to secure an historic peace treaty.”
SOURCE: Written questions and answers – Written questions, answers and statements – UK Parliament
Question for U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
In yet another written question on 14 October 2024, Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth Ruth Cadbury asked: “To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make a request to his Azerbaijani counterpart for a UK delegation to visit the 23 Armenian prisoners being held by Azerbaijan in order to (a) verify their conditions and (b) ensure that international standards and conventions are being complied before COP29 in Baku in November.”
On 23 October 2024, Labour MP and Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) Stephen Doughty responded: “The UK has consistently urged the Azerbaijani authorities, including ahead of COP29, to ensure that those in detention are afforded a fair trial and are provided safe conditions, in accordance with Azerbaijan’s international obligations and commitments. We are in touch with the UK delegation visiting Azerbaijan for COP29 to ensure a smooth visit to the country, however we have not received a formal request for UK Government support to visit Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan.”
SOURCE: Written questions and answers – Written questions, answers and statements – UK Parliament