Today, the Council of States—the upper house of the Swiss Federal Assembly—adopted Motion No. 24.4259 titled “Peace Forum for Nagorno-Karabakh: Enabling the Return of Armenians.” With 29 of its 46 members voting in favor, the Council endorsed the initiative urging Swiss authorities to establish a dedicated forum for dialogue between representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. The aim of this Swiss-led effort is to facilitate the safe, collective, and dignified return of the displaced Armenian population to their ancestral homeland.
In what can only be described as a tragicomic nadir of modern Armenian diplomacy, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has once again revealed the full extent of his political incompetence, strategic myopia, and astonishing readiness to capitulate—for no higher cause than the preservation of his own authority. His recent announcement, celebrating the conclusion of negotiations on a so-called “peace agreement” with Azerbaijan, should not be mistaken for a diplomatic achievement. It is, in fact, the clearest admission yet that Pashinyan has completely surrendered the Armenian national interest at the negotiating table.
During a phone call relayed through his family, Ruben Vardanyan sent two audio messages from a Baku prison: he requested that one be published today and the other on Sunday. He also stated that his next statement will only be made at the final court session — and only if representatives of the international community are present.
Pashinyan will depart from his office someday, but the damage he leaves behind for Armenia and Armenians will last for decades. That is why, the sooner he steps down, the better for Armenia.
“We are getting reports that Armenian government officials are not mentioning Armenian hostages or Artsakh in their meetings with U.S. officials.
Bishop Hovakim Manukyan of the Diocese of The Armenian Church of the United Kingdom & Ireland, together with a group of Christian leaders, has sent a letter to the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressing deep concern over the unlawful detention of 23 Armenians by Azerbaijan. Following the forced displacement of 120,000 Armenians from Artsakh in 2023, these individuals—including former government officials, prisoners of war, and civilians—are facing fabricated charges, unfair trials, and inhumane treatment in Baku.
A coalition of American Christian leaders has sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging decisive action to free 24 Christian hostages—23 Armenian Christians and one Azerbaijani Christian convert—held by Azerbaijani authorities. Among them is Ruben Vardanyan, who remains in extremely critical condition as his hunger strike extends into its 21st day, leaving his health rapidly deteriorating in Azerbaijani detention. In their appeal, the signatories cite credible reports of torture and ongoing abuse, emphasizing their belief that President Trump’s leadership is uniquely positioned to resolve this crisis, and that swift action is needed to save Christian lives.
Dr. Arthur Khachikian, Stanford Doctor in Political Science talked with Karnig Kerkonian, an international lawyer and lead counsel in several precedent-setting Armenian rights matters in U.S. and international courts, a Partner of Kerkonian Dajani LLP. He educated at Harvard, Cambridge, and the University of Chicago.
The united representatives of all Armenian churches worldwide have issued an urgent appeal to Christians around the world, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan.
Syeda Ghulam Fatima, 2016 Aurora Prize Finalist and Pakistani human rights activist, intends to travel to Baku in order to attend Ruben Vardanyan’s hearings. Free Armenian Prisoners reports on X.
