Belgian Federal Parliament calls for right of return of Artsakh  Armenians

ArmInfo.  The Belgian Federal Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the right of return of the Armenians of Artsakh to be ensured. The European Office of Hay  Dat (EAFJD) reported this, welcoming the comprehensive resolution  unanimously adopted by the Belgian Chamber of Representatives on  April 16.

"This vote is an important milestone in strengthening the  rapprochement between Belgium and Armenia, as well as an expression  of support for Armenia's further integration into the European  Union," the EAFJD statement reads.

It is noted that the resolution, introduced by Member of Parliament  Michel de Magde, which was previously unanimously adopted by the  Foreign Affairs Committee, calls, among other things, for the right  of return of the people of Artsakh to be realized with international  security guarantees. According to the resolution, safe return is  impossible without an effective international mechanism. The  resolution also demands the immediate withdrawal of Azerbaijani armed  forces from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia and  their return to the positions they occupied as of May 12, 2021.  Furthermore, the resolution addresses the fate of Armenian prisoners  of war and civilian hostages currently held in Baku, including the  political leadership of Artsakh, whose detention remains a serious  humanitarian concern.  Commenting on the adoption of the resolution,  Gaspar Karampetian, Chairman of the European Office of Hay Dat, noted  that the Belgian House of Representatives has once again taken a  clear and principled position. "Strengthening ties between Armenia  and Belgium is a positive step for the future, but it must also be  based on the protection of the fundamental rights of the Armenian  people. We now expect the Belgian government to ensure that these  demands are translated into concrete diplomatic action," he noted.  The European Office of Hay Dat called on the Belgian government and  the European Union to use this resolution as a basis for holding  Azerbaijan accountable and ensuring a just and sustainable peace in  the region.

It should be noted that the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war  and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons remains unknown. Experts  estimate the number to be several hundred. Currently, the Azerbaijani  authorities confirm the presence of 19 Armenians in their custody.  Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are eight former and  current members of the military-political leadership of Artsakh.  These include former Artsakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako  Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan; former Foreign Minister Davit  Babayan; as well as Parliament Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan; former  Commander of the Artsakh Defense Army General Levon Mnatsakanyan;  General David Manukyan; and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.  Today, the Baku puppet court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, David  Babayan, David Ishkhanyan, David Manukyan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan to  life imprisonment, and Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Ruben  Vardanyan to 20 years in prison on trumped-up charges. The so-called  court sentenced the remaining Artsakh residents to up to 15 years in  prison.