Artsakh Union Welcomes the Adoption of the Resolution by the Assembly of Corsica Supporting Artsakh and Demanding the Release of Armenian Political Prisoners
Artsakh Union welcomes Resolution N° 2026/E5/011, adopted by the Assembly of Corsica during its extraordinary session on July 30-31, through which Corsica expresses its support for the people of Artsakh and demands the release of Armenian political prisoners held in Azerbaijan.
“Such resolutions are of significant importance to us, as they demonstrate the support and sympathy of the Corsican people, as well as other peoples struggling for their own freedom and self-determination, toward the people of Artsakh. This step proves once again that the Artsakh issue is not closed, and the frantic reaction of Azerbaijan’s genocidal regime is a telling fact in this regard,” noted Artak Beglaryan, President of Artsakh Union.
Artsakh Union highly appreciates this principled and humanitarian step by the Corsican parliament. Such clear messages resonating on international platforms are of key importance in freeing our compatriots from captivity as soon as possible and bringing our just struggle to its logical conclusion.
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The full translation of the resolution text is provided below:
RESOLUTION
On supporting Artsakh and the necessity of releasing Armenian political prisoners held by Azerbaijan
- Having regard to the Charter of the United Nations of 1945,
- Having regard to Resolution No. 2015/01/2010 on the Armenian Genocide,
- Having regard to Resolution No. 2020/02/031 on supporting the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh and the recognition of the Republic of Artsakh,
- Having regard to Resolution No. 2022/02/025 on supporting the Armenian people following the new attacks by Azerbaijan,
- Having regard to Resolution No. 2023/10/05 on supporting Nagorno-Karabakh,
- Considering that the policy pursued by forces and states inspired by Pan-Turkic ideology—which began in 1894, was further exacerbated by the Armenian Genocide of 1915, and continues to this day—is aimed at the gradual eradication of the Armenian people,
- Considering that the international community has a moral and ethical obligation to protect the rights, security, and dignity of endangered peoples,
- Considering that Azerbaijan, in violation of the norms of international law and historical justice, launched a military offensive against the Republic of Artsakh on September 19, 2023,
- Considering that Azerbaijan, having carried out the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population of Artsakh, continues to keep Artsakh under military, political, and administrative occupation,
- Considering that Azerbaijan bears full responsibility for the forced displacement of more than 120,000 people who were compelled to flee their homeland and seek refuge in the Republic of Armenia,
- Considering that the International Court of Justice has ordered Azerbaijan to ensure the safe, dignified, and unimpeded return of the Armenians of Artsakh who wish to return to their homes,
- Considering that Azerbaijan, in violation of international human rights conventions, continues to unlawfully detain nineteen Armenian citizens of the Republic of Artsakh to this day,
- Considering that among these political prisoners are the former Presidents of the Republic of Artsakh, Bako Sahakyan and Arkadi Ghukasyan, as well as the former State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan, who have been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Among them are also the former Minister of Defense, General Levon Mnatsakanyan, the former Deputy Commander of the Defense Army, Davit Manukyan, the former President of the Republic of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Davit Babayan, and the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, Davit Ishkhanyan, who have been sentenced to life imprisonment,
- Considering the just demand of the Republic of Artsakh to achieve a political settlement and the full realization of its people’s right to self-determination,
- Considering the urgent need to prevent the repetition of past genocidal crimes,
THE ASSEMBLY OF CORSICA
- Recalls the historical ties existing between Corsica and the Armenian people.
- Reaffirms its unwavering support for the Republic of Artsakh and the Armenian people of Artsakh, who were forcibly displaced from their homeland and have currently found refuge in the Republic of Armenia.
- Expresses its full solidarity with all Armenian political prisoners unlawfully held by Azerbaijan and with their families.
- Strongly condemns the unjust conditions of their detention and the arbitrary judicial proceedings initiated against them, which contradict the fundamental principles of international law.
- Demands the immediate release of all Armenian political prisoners.
- Emphasizes the importance of respecting the right of peoples to self-determination, the withdrawal of occupying forces, as well as the right to a safe, dignified, and unimpeded return for the Armenian people of Artsakh, secured by genuine international guarantees, in accordance with the orders of the UN International Court of Justice.
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Calls on the European Union, its institutions, member states, and all political forces to utilize all political, diplomatic, and legal means to ensure the observance of international humanitarian law and to achieve the release of the Armenian political prisoners.
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Reaffirms the commitment of the Corsican community to continue and strengthen its support for Armenia and Artsakh.
- Recalls that the future of Corsica, as well as that of any people, can only be built upon law, justice, and freedom, and that lasting peace is only possible under the rule of law against occupation, injustice, and arbitrariness. Solidarity toward all peoples who are victims of colonization and subjugation is a political and humanistic duty.
Artsakh Union highly appreciates this humanitarian commitment of Corsica, sharing the conviction that lasting peace can be built exclusively under the rule of law, and not under conditions of occupation and arbitrariness.
