Armenian Diaspora Called to Secure Release of Hostages

An opinion piece published in The Armenian Weekly calls on the Armenian diaspora to intensify advocacy for the release of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, framing their freedom as a matter of national honor and international law.

The article references at least 19 Armenian political leaders, military figures, and civilians detained in Azerbaijani prisons for over 1,000 days, some facing life sentences. It argues that their continued imprisonment represents both a human rights violation and a breach of national covenant.

The piece also addresses Azerbaijan's stated territorial claims over Armenian sovereign land, warning against normalizing irredentist rhetoric through diplomatic negotiations. It cites a recent 44–7 House Foreign Affairs Committee vote demanding unconditional prisoner release, calling for full legislative and administration action to make hostage freedom a prerequisite for any peace agreement.