Belgian lawmakers are taking a strong stance against Azerbaijan over its treatment of Armenians. Next week, the Belgian Chamber of Representatives will debate a resolution calling for strict sanctions against Azerbaijan’s leadership. The resolution also urges the immediate release of Armenian prisoners who are being held unlawfully.
The resolution was introduced by Els Van Hoof, Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Michel De Maegd, Deputy Chair. They believe that Belgium and Armenia share important values like democracy, respect for laws, and human rights. They are pushing for the Belgian government to take a firm position against Azerbaijan’s actions.
Els Van Hoof expressed deep shock over Azerbaijan’s blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, which lasted for nine months. This blockade led to extreme suffering and eventually forced the entire Armenian population of over 100,000 to leave their homes. The resolution warns that if Azerbaijan continues to break international laws, strict penalties must be placed on the country. It also suggests that the European Union should reconsider its ties with Azerbaijan.
Cristina Kirchner Hit with U.S. Sanctions, Barred from Entry Over Corruption
Urgent Call to Free Armenian Prisoners
Another major focus of the resolution is the fate of Armenian prisoners who are still being held in Azerbaijan. Even though Azerbaijan was supposed to release all prisoners after the war, it has admitted that it is still holding 23 Armenians. Many of them are former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, including past presidents Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, as well as former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and human rights experts have strongly criticized the way Azerbaijan is treating these captives. They say the trials against them are completely unfair and are only being held to punish them for their political positions. These so-called “sham trials” have been condemned as a violation of international law.
Michel De Maegd has been actively working on this issue, discussing it with Belgian Foreign Minister and Prime Minister. He emphasized the urgency of the matter and stressed that pressure against Azerbaijan must be maximized.
Sanctions on Tornado Cash Addresses Lifted, But Developer Still Banned
Belgian legislators are urging their government to use all available diplomatic and political tools to pressure Azerbaijan into releasing these prisoners.
Protection of Armenian Culture and Rights
In addition to calling for sanctions and the release of prisoners, the resolution highlights the need to protect Armenian cultural heritage. Since the forced displacement of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, there have been growing concerns about the destruction of historical and religious sites. Many fear that Azerbaijan might erase traces of Armenian history in the region.
The resolution insists that Belgium must stand up for human rights and historical preservation. It calls on the Belgian government to make sure that Armenian cultural sites are safeguarded and that those who have been displaced have the right to return to their homes safely.
This move by Belgian lawmakers signals a strong warning to Azerbaijan. If the resolution passes, it could lead to serious diplomatic and economic consequences for the country. The debate on this matter is scheduled to take place on April 2 in Belgium’s federal parliament.
