Breaking
The Assembly, recalling its Resolution 2517 (2023) and Recommendation 2260 (2023) on “The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh,” as well as Resolution 2560 (2024) on “The honouring of obligations and commitments by Armenia,” continues to monitor the situation of detained former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh and all Armenian prisoners of war currently held in Azerbaijan. The Assembly reiterates its call for their immediate release.
Amnesty International Urges Fair Trial for Ruben Vardanyan Amid Allegations of Abuse
Reacting to the start of Ruben Vardanyan’s trial, Amnesty International’s Marie Struthers condemned Azerbaijan’s actions, highlighting the denial of his fair trial rights and calling for an independent investigation into his allegations of mistreatment and coercion.
Sham Trials Against Former Nagorno-Karabakh Officials Continue in Baku Amid Allegations of Torture
Prime Minister Pashinyan to Visit Washington Next Week
Armenian Parliament Committee Endorses EU Accession Bill
Lithuanian Parliament’s First Deputy Speaker Lauds Armenia’s Democratic EU Petition
U.S. Congress
Congressman Frank Pallone Applauds Historic U.S.-Armenia Strategic Partnership Agreementeading
“This agreement highlights the remarkable progress in the U.S.- Armenia relationship, a cause I have passionately championed in my role as Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues,” said Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), celebrating the signing of historic U.S.-Armenia strategic partnership agreement.
Congresswoman Dina Titus Condemns Sham Trials in Baku, Calls for Sanctions on Aliyev Regime
U.S. Congresswoman Dina Titus has condemned the start of secret trials on January 17 against Armenians in Baku, describing them as illegal and fabricated. “I condemn these sham trials and urge the State Department to consider the use of Magnitsky sanctions to target the human rights abusers in the Aliyev regime,” she stated.
Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Genocidal Policy
CFTJ Delegation to Present at International Religious Freedom Summit
The Center for Truth and Justice (CFTJ) Delegation will present at the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C., from February 4–5, 2025. The delegation will speak on the ongoing human rights violations and threats to religious freedom faced by ethnic Armenians, highlighting the urgent need for international accountability. They will address over 1,000 advocates from dozens of countries, representing diverse faith backgrounds.
In conjunction with the National Prayer Breakfast, the CFTJ will schedule meetings with representatives from Congress and U.S. agencies, including the State Department, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and more.
CFTJ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, established in November 2020 in response to the Nagorno-Karabakh war. CFTJ oversees the collection of firsthand testimonial evidence from war survivors.
Former ICC Chief Prosecutor on Show Trials Against Armenians: Stalin is Dead but Aliyev is Learning from Him
“Azerbaijan’s bogus charges are a cover-up of the crimes committed against the Nagorno-Karabakh people, including the prisoners”, former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Luis Moreno Ocampo has said.
European Centre for Law and Justice Condemns Mock Trial in Baku of Nagorno-Karabakh Leaders
- Criticizes Azerbaijan’s ongoing sham trials against 16 Armenians, including former leaders of Nagorno- Karabakh.
- Highlights the absence of independent international observers, foreign media, NGOs, and families of the accused, with Azerbaijan citing dubious “national security” justifications.
- Draws attention to reports of torture and degrading treatment of Armenian detainees.
- Calls out Azerbaijan for using its judiciary as a tool for humiliation and erasure of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian legacy and leadership.
- Points to Azerbaijan’s campaign of cultural genocide, including the destruction of Armenian heritage sites and active denial of Armenian existence in the region.
- Notes Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s persistent racial hate speech, threats of further aggression, and ambitions for territorial expansion into Armenia.
- Urges the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to maintain its suspension of Azerbaijan’s delegation and hold it accountable for its actions as the January 2025 session begins.
French MP Bellamy Urges Action Against Azerbaijan’s Alleged Threat to France’s Integrity
French MP François-Xavier Bellamy has urged the French government to take action in response to Azerbaijan’s recent provocations, highlighting the regime’s blatant attack on France’s territorial integrity. Bellamy condemned Azerbaijan’s organization of a congress in Nouméa, New Caledonia, aimed at “decolonizing” the region and calling for a global “fight,” while also insulting French law enforcement.
In his post on X, Bellamy stated:
“A criminal regime is publicly attacking the integrity of France. When will the state finally respond.”
MEP François-Xavier Bellamy Urges Stronger EU Support for Armenia
Switzerland Takes Action on Nagorno- Karabakh: Advocating for Artsakh Armenians’ Right of Return
The Swiss Council of States’ foreign relations committee has approved a motion to establish a platform for direct negotiations between Azerbaijan and Artsakh Armenians on their right to return— crucial for justice and lasting peace.
Despite Azerbaijan’s resistance, this Swiss-led initiative moves forward ahead of Davos, offering a glimmer of hope for the displaced population.
Aliyev’s Fabricated Narratives: Unveiling the Agenda
By Sossi Tatikyan
Azerbaijan’s Coercion and Obstructionism Through Pre-conditions, Accusations and Threats to Armenia
In his latest interview, Aliyev escalated his cognitive warfare against Armenia, trying to portray Armenia as a persistent “regional threat” and a state fundamentally shaped by fascist ideology. He claimed that “the independent Armenian state is actually a fascist state because this country has been led by proponents of fascist ideology for nearly 30 years.”
Driven by Fear from Nagorno-Karabakh
Juleta’s Journey: From Displacement to Empowerment in Armenia
After fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, Juleta, a former psychology teacher, rebuilt her life in Armenia by becoming a sewing instructor with the support of EU-funded humanitarian programs. Through the Adaptation & Integration Club, she gained skills, confidence, and employment, showcasing resilience:
“After the displacement, we lost our balance and our harmony. This club brought me networking and self-confidence”.
Photos of the Week
Demonstrators in Yerevan gathered outside the UN Armenia office on January 17 to demand intervention to achieve the release of all Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan.
Photo Courtesy of The Armenian Weekly.
The torch for the 2nd Pan-Armenian Winter Games being lit in Noravank, symbolizing the start of a historic sporting event. The flame will be carried by athletes to Jermuk, where the opening ceremony will take place on February 1, 2025
Photo Courtesy of ArmenPress.
Security
Rubio Stresses Need for Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Agreement in Call with Turkish FM
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the need for a “durable and dignified” peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan during a call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
MEP Nathalie Loiseau Supports Armenia’s EU Aspirations
“Armenia’s desire to join the EU is not surprising, given its commitment to peace, democracy, and reforms,” MEP Nathalie Loiseau stated.
The Decline of Russian Regional Power: The Invasion of Ukraine and the Ethnic Cleansing of Arktash
By Lora Tseytlin
in September 2023, despite their commitment to protecting Artsakh’s Armenians, Russian peacekeeping forces permitted Azerbaijan to carry out a mass exodus that displaced 120,000 Artksah Armenians and killed upwards of 400. Shortly afterward, Russian troops fully withdrew from the region, prematurely ending their protective military presence. Russia’s concession of Artsakh to Azerbaijan and abandonment of its peacekeeping presence strained the already fragile relationship between Russia and Armenia.
EU Mission to Armenia Hosts 22 Ambassadors from EU Member States
Opinion
On Day One, Rubio Should Reverse Blinken and Power’s Azerbaijan Cowardice
By Michael Rubin
Make no mistake: There is absolutely no dispute that Azerbaijan’s actions in Nagorno-Karabakh amount to ethnic cleansing. Freedom House provided perhaps the most authoritative documentation about how Azerbaijan forced out the region’s 1,700- year-old Christian community and concluded, “The Azerbaijani state’s actions constitute ethnic cleansing.” So, too, did the International Association of Genocide Scholars, alongside many Christian groups.
On Day One of his tenure, Rubio should demonstrate this to the Foreign Service when he refers to what happened in Nagorno-Karabakh as “ethnic cleansing,” not “depopulation” or a spontaneous permanent vacation or whatever wordplay Blinken and Power prefer. Members of Congress should then look forward to the true report by May 2025 on what occurred and the consequences the Aliyevs face.
Azerbaijan Continues to Illegally Hold, Torture Armenian Hostages
By Uzay Bulut
The Trump administration needs to make Azerbaijan release these hostages. US President Donald Trump needs to sanction Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and other Azeri officials for carrying out a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Nagorno-Karabakh that continues to threaten the territorial integrity of Armenia while refusing to release the Armenian POWs and hostages.
Why Armenia is Not Referring the Situation to the ICC
By Gurgen Petrossian
Armenia’s accession to the Rome Statute represents a significant step towards justice and accountability for the crimes committed after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. Geopolitical pressures from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Russia, combined with Armenia’s limited capacity, hinder its ability to act independently in seeking justice for victims.
Backing an Assault by Azerbaijan on Armenia is not in Israel’s Interest
By Dan Perry and Gilead Sher
Azerbaijan has shown its ambitions extend to sovereign territory in Armenia: the seizure of the so-called Zangezur corridor in southern Armenia, in the region of Syunik.
Armenia’s EU Ambition
By Olesya Vartanyan
Through the European Peace Facility, the EU has provided additional assistance aimed at bolstering Armenia’s resilience in the region. It has also supported major infrastructure projects, including road construction in southern Armenia. In September, the EU initiated official dialogue on visa liberalization for Armenian citizens—a step that promises greater mobility and deeper integration.
