Armenians and human rights advocates organized protests in more than 25 cities around the world during May 17 to May 23. These protests demanded the immediate cessation of the ongoing Azerbaijani military aggression against the Republic of Armenia and the immediate and unconditional release of more than 200 Armenian prisoners of war who remain captive in inhumane conditions in Azerbaijan since the end of the second Karabakh war in November 2020.
In Toronto a protest was organized on May 18, 2021 in front of Global Affairs Canada office. In Montreal the protest was held on May 20, 2021 in front of the riding office of Honorable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. A unified political statement was publicly read during these protests. These global protests were organized by the “Free Armenian POWs Global Network” for the third time since April 15, 2021 with the participation of the following cities: Berlin, Boston, Brancaleone, Copenhagen, Geneva, Hamburg, Lausanne, Leipzig, London, Los Angeles, Montreal, Moscow, New York, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Sofia, Strasbourg, Tbilisi, The Hague, Toronto, Vienna, Zagreb and Zurich.
In Montreal and Toronto HAYREN Partners for Humanity advocacy group coordinated the protests with the participation of Armenian political activists and organizations. Simultaneously, a House of Commons petition is being circulated among residents and citizens of Canada to demand the direct intervention of the Canadian Government to guarantee the immediate and unconditional release of the Armenian POWs.
At the meeting held in Montreal, the following statement was read to the public.
Armenians and human rights advocates around the world, are united in demanding the immediate cessation of the ongoing Azerbaijani military aggression against the Republic of Armenia. At this very moment, Azerbaijan, this same authoritarian regime, is also illegally detaining more than 200 Armenian prisoners of war – both soldier and civilian, men and women.
For the third time in less than 2 months, human rights advocates and fellow citizens are gathered in Berlin, Boston, Brancaleone, Copenhagen, Geneva, Hamburg, Lausanne, Leipzig, London, Los Angeles, Lugano, Montreal, Moscow, New York, Paris, Prague, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Sofia, Strasbourg, Tbilisi, The Hague, Toronto, Vienna, Zagreb and Zurich to demand the immediate and unconditional release of the illegally detained Armenian prisoners of war, captive in inhumane conditions in Azerbaijan since the end of the second Karabakh war in November 2020.
200 days of illegal detainment and torture.
During the past 8 months, Azerbaijan had been exponentially breaching international humanitarian laws and, more dangerously, Baku failed in abiding by the ceasefire statement that was signed on November 9, 2020, which clearly demands to end all hostilities and to exchange civil and war prisoners, hostages, and all other detainees without any delay.
Azerbaijan is until now continuing its military aggression, this time directly against Armenia. INARGUABLY, Azerbaijan is not respecting international laws: it is bluntly challenging the international community by violating the Geneva Conventions.
Azerbaijan’s violations and disregard of international law have only worsened. On May 12 2021, the Azerbaijani troops breached the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia by hostile incursions along its internationally recognized borders.
With each day that passes, with Azerbaijan continuing its aggressive behaviour without consequence, dictatorships around the world are given a clear message: committing War crimes and breaking International Law can go unpunished. Thus, this is not only an issue facing Armenians, but one facing the entire world.
Our governments MUST denounce the authoritarian regime in Azerbaijan; our governments must directly stop Ilham Aliyev’s bloody adventures that may result in a total war in the Southern Caucasus, endangering global peace and security.
We stand united in demanding the immediate intervention of our governments to halt the Azerbaijani aggressions against Armenia and in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all Armenian civil and war prisoners.
Free Armenian POWs Global Network
