`It is impossible to achieve lasting peace without the return of Armenian prisoners.` Letter from Armenian human rights NGOs to JD Vance
ArmInfo. On the eve of U.S. Vice President JD Vance's visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan, more than 20 Armenian human rights and civil society organizations engaged in human rights work addressed an open letter to the Vice President, calling on him to support the release of Armenian Christian prisoners held in Baku.
The full text of the letter is presented below.
Open Letter to J.D. Vance, Vice President of the United States
Dear Mr. Vice President,
We welcome your visit to the Republic of Armenia and hope it will serve as an impetus for deepening Armenian- American relations and establishing lasting peace in the region.
Considering that, during your visit, you will be in both Armenia and Azerbaijan, we, the undersigned human rights organizations, respectfully bring to your attention an urgent humanitarian issue concerning the release of the Christian Armenian political prisoners, prisoners of war and civilians currently held in Baku.
The recent repatriation of four prisoners demonstrated the profound importance of this humanitarian issue for our society. Release and repatriation of all Armenians detained in the context of armed conflict is of paramount importance to the peace process and serves as a critical confidence-building measure. Regrettably, 19 Christian Armenians continue to be detained and subjected to suffering in Azerbaijani prisons.
Given the unique role of the U.S. President Trump in brokering a peace deal and facilitating the peace process, the U.S. administration's active support to facilitate their return is invaluable. Such support becomes even more urgent given the deeply concerning statements by Azerbaijani officials indicating that the former officials of Nagorno- Karabakh are not intended to be returned. During this period, sham judicial proceedings are conducted against Armenians in fundamental denial of the principles of a fair trial. As a result of sham trials, life or long-term imprisonment sentences were handed down today, which are not consistent with the peace agenda.
The issue of the return of Christian Armenian prisoners was raised in Washington in August 2025, during the initialing of the Peace Agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the high-level meetings held under the leadership of U.S. President Donald J. Trump.
The current U.S. administration, led by President Donald J. Trump, has consistently emphasized the centrality of human rights guarantees. During his campaign, President Trump underscored the importance of protecting persecuted Christians. We are confident the U.S. administration is uniquely positioned to rightfully play a significant role in securing the release of the Christian Armenian prisoners held in Baku.
Today, under President Trump's leadership, Armenia and Azerbaijan are attempting to take steps toward peace. However, it is evident that, for the Armenian public, Azerbaijan's promises of peace cannot be credible if Armenian prisoners continue to be illegally detained and subjecting them and their relatives to suffering.
We, the undersigned human rights organizations, are convinced that resolving humanitarian issues is essential to building trust between the two countries. Without such trust, lasting peace is impossible.
We therefore respectfully appeal to you and to the U.S. administration to take steps to ensure that the Armenian prisoners are released and reunited with their families. We firmly believe that you can truly help resolve this pressing humanitarian issue and put an end to the suffering of many Armenian families.
Signatures
International and Comparative Law Center NGO; Protection of Rights without Borders NGO; Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center; Law Development and Protection Foundation; Disability Rights Agenda NGO; Dignity Humanitarian NGO; Helsinki Association for Human Rights NGO; Helsinki Citizens' Assembly - Vanadzor; Peace Dialogue NGO; Public Journalism Club NGO; Progressive Youth NGO; Journalists For Human Rights NGO; Centre for Community Mobilization and Support NGO; New Justice Culture NGO; Social Justice NGO; For Equal Rights NGO; Union for Protection of the Interests and Rights of the Artsakh People NGO; Mission Armenia NGO; Foundation against Violation of Law NGO; Arbane Foundation.