Appeal to German Foreign Minister Wadephul

Several human rights organizations have issued a joint appeal to German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, calling on him to step up his efforts to promote a just peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.The agreement negotiated between the two states under US mediation has significant gaps. “True peace is not possible without protecting the rights and security of the Armenians who were violently expelled from Nagorno-Karabakh/Arzach. We therefore call on the German government, together with the European Union and its member states, to play an active and principled role in this crucial peace process,” The appeal was signed by the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP), the Central Council of Armenians in Germany (ZAD), the Working Group Recognition – Against Genocide, for International Understanding (AGA), the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR), Christian Solidarity International (CSI) and the Stephanus Foundation for Persecuted Christians.

“Without clear words on the violent expulsion of over 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh/Arzach by Azerbaijan in 2023 and a perspective for these people, there can be no lasting peace,” warns Sarah Reinke, head of human rights work at the STP. “Azerbaijan must immediately release the more than 23 Armenian civilians, prisoners of war, and former officials from Nagorno-Karabakh who are still being held in Azerbaijan. The politically motivated trials against Armenian political leaders must be stopped!” demands Jonathan Spangenberg, Chairman of the Central Council of Armenians.

However, political repression within Azerbaijan is continuing to intensify, warns Dr. Tessa Hofmann of the Working Group Recognition – Against Genocide, for International Understanding. "The work of non-governmental organizations is severely restricted. Around 200 people are being held as political prisoners. On June 20, 2025, eight journalists, including Bahruz Samadov, a political scientist studying for a doctorate in Prague, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from seven and a half to 15 years. His case is a prime example of the systematic criminalization of peace-oriented intellectuals," the human rights activist continues. Samadov was committed to a peaceful resolution of the Karabakh issue, was involved in international peace processes, and wrote for international media. He was arrested for alleged “high treason.” The prosecution's charges led him to attempt suicide and go on hunger strike.

Wadephul must stand up for the enforcement of human rights in Azerbaijan. In addition, the human rights organizations demand that an independent international review of Azerbaijan's detention practices and the violent expulsion of Armenians in light of the Genocide Convention is essential to strengthen a just peace. If necessary, further steps to initiate international proceedings should be considered.

You can reach Sarah Reinke from the STP at s.reinke@gfbv.de or 0551/49906-13.

You can reach Jonathan Spangenberg from the ZAD at vorstand@zentralrat.org.

You can reach Dr. Tessa Hofmann from the Working Group on Recognition at tessa.hofmann@katwastan.de or 030/851 64.
 

This press release was translated from German to English using AI. If you come across errors or ambiguities, please contact us at presse@gfbv.de.