There is no grey area. International law is clear. Armenian hostages must be released. 

At least 23 ethnic Armenians are currently detained by the Government of Azerbaijan, in defiance of international calls for their release.

They include:

• Former and current members of the elected Government of Nagorno Karabakh;
• Armenian civilians and soldiers who were captured during the 2020 war;
• Soldiers and civilians from Nagorno Karabakh who were detained or kidnapped by Azerbaijani forces during Azerbaijan’s nine-month blockade of Nagorno Karabakh and the military campaign that followed.

All of these individuals have been denied their legal rights under international human rights law, and the abuse and mistreatment of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijani detention is well-documented. As many as 80 more Armenians are considered “forcibly disappeared” — they were last seen in the hands of Azerbaijani soldiers, though Azerbaijan does not acknowledge detaining them.

Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) echoes the call of international human rights groups. We urge Azerbaijan to release all Armenian hostages unconditionally and immediately.