European Parliament resolution a response to Ruben Vardanyan's message, politician says

Mane Tandilyan, co-founder of the Country to Live party, who is currently on a hunger strike in solidarity with Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, has hailed a resolution on unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages, including former Artsakh leaders, to be debated by the European Parliament on Wednesday.

"The resolution to be discussed in the European Parliament today is essentially a response to Ruben Vardanyan’s message, for which I sincerely thank its authors," she wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

The resolution acknowledges that Armenian prisoners are subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment, psychological pressure and are denied independent legal representation in Azerbaijan.

Among other demands, the resolution calls for the immediate release of Armenian detainees and sanctions against the Azerbaijani officials responsible for the unlawful detentions, human rights violations and conduct of the sham trials.

It also calls on EU Special Representative for Human Rights Olof Skoog to meet with the Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan and urges EU ambassadors in Baku to observe and monitor the sham trails.

"In light of this crucial resolution, we have sent letters to all members of the European Parliament, urging them to vote in favor," Tandilyan stated.