We strongly oppose the growing international campaigns that unjustly portray Ruben Vardanyan, who was convicted of grave crimes, as a victim while ignoring the real victims—the Azerbaijanis who suffered from the crimes for which he was convicted.

Particularly troubling are recent initiatives that mobilize international sympathy and present him solely through a humanitarian lens, thereby overlooking the immense suffering endured by those victims and their families.

For years, Azerbaijani civil society, human rights advocates, mine victims, survivors of ethnic cleansing, and families of missing persons have engaged the international community through peaceful and lawful advocacy.

In an open letter to President Donald Trump of the United States of America (https://en.apa.az/foreign-policy/azerbaijani-ngos-address-open-letter-to-us-president-donald-trump-487462), Azerbaijani civil society representatives emphasized that those facing prosecution are not “hostages” or “political prisoners,” but individuals convicted of serious crimes committed during decades of conflict and occupation, and that justice and accountability are indispensable for sustainable peace.

Similarly, in their appeal regarding the amendment introduced by Representative Brad Sherman to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee (https://azertag.az/en/xeber/4264859), they stressed that these individuals were sentenced for acts that caused immense suffering and led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, the destruction of cities, civilian infrastructure, and cultural heritage. The devastating scale of these actions directly culminated in deliberate acts of genocide, ecocide, urbicide, and culturecide.

Azerbaijan has both the right and obligation under domestic and international law to investigate and prosecute such crimes. The proceedings were conducted openly, with access to legal representation and full opportunities for defense.

Azerbaijani civil society has also rejected attempts to disregard victims’ rights and distort the legality of these proceedings, including in responses to the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention (https://report.az/en/foreign-politics/azerbaijani-ngos-call-on-us-based-lemkin-institute-to-apologize) and appeals to members of the British Parliament (https://www.azernews.az/nation/254843.html) and international organizations. These efforts have consistently sought truth, justice, accountability, reconciliation, and lasting peace.

Yet our concern is not only legal. It is deeply human.

For decades, families of missing persons have appealed to governments, international organizations, and the conscience of the world. Among them was Elmira Dadashova, who joined a peaceful demonstration in Geneva (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro8QmR7IiGQ) last year to remind the international community that hundreds of Azerbaijani families still do not know the fate of their loved ones. She spent years searching for answers about her missing son, but passed away without ever learning his fate.

Where was the global campaign for Elmira Dadashova?

Where are the global campaigns for more than 4,000 missing Azerbaijanis?

And where are the international letters, petitions, and advocacy efforts for more than 3,400 Azerbaijani landmine victims?

At the historic Washington Summit of August 2025, facilitated by President Donald Trump, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a Joint Declaration and initialed a peace treaty, opening a fundamentally new chapter in relations between the two countries.

Lasting peace requires trust. Yet trust cannot be built on silence about past crimes.

The previous generation of Azerbaijanis endured conflict, occupation, displacement, destruction, and loss. While remembering the suffering of the past, we remain committed to building a future grounded in peace, cooperation, justice, and mutual respect. Today, Azerbaijanis and Armenians have a unique opportunity to build reconciliation and trust.

As emphasized above, the individuals on whose behalf international campaigns and letters are being organized were prosecuted and convicted for grave crimes, not for their identity, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or political beliefs.

If we fail to show that crimes have consequences and that justice is upheld through lawful processes, what lesson are we passing on to our children?

This question is directed to those who write letters, organize campaigns, and advocate for the release of individuals convicted or prosecuted for grave crimes.

We do not seek revenge. We seek justice.

Signatories

1. Konul Behbudova – Chairwoman of the “Karabakh Missing Families” Public Union
2. Sevinc Alizade – Chairwoman of the “Zafar” Support to Families of Martyrs Public Union
3. Zaur Ibrahimli – Member of the Board of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum
4. Ayaz Mirzayev – Chairman of the “Azerbaijani Journalists Network” Public Union
5. Amir Aliyev – Chairman of the “Center for the Promotion of Human Rights” Public Union
6. Alimammad Nuriyev – Head of the “Constitution” Research Fund
7. Rey Gasimov - Chairman of the “Association of Landmine Victims in Azerbaijan” Public Union
8. Hafiz Safikhanov - Chairman of the “Azerbaijan Campaign Against Landmines” Public Union
9. Shahla Naghiyeva - Chairwoman of the “Sonmez Mashal” Cultural Relations Public Union
10. Khalid Kazimov - Chairman of the Regional Human Rights and Media Center Public Union
11. Ahmad Abbasbayli - Chairman of the “Center for Development of Society” Public Union
12. Irada Rzazada - Chairperson of the Public Union “For Social Well-being of Citizens”
13. Jasarat Huseynzade - Chairman of the Public Union to Support Information and Social Initiatives
14. Elshad Eyvazov - Chairman of the Independent Journalists Public Union
15. Grandson of Khojaly victim Tofiq Huseynov, Nihad Huseynzada
16. Granddaughter of Khojaly victim Bakir Huseynov, Aydan Huseynzada
17. Granddaughter of Khojaly victim Maxmar Alakbarova, Maxmar Alakbarova
18. Son of Khojaly victim Telman Orujov, Anar Orujov
19. Daughter of Khojaly victim Raya Mahmudova, Kubra Mahmudova
20. Daughter of Khojaly victim Bakir Huseynov, Samira Huseynova
21. Daughter of Khojaly victim Azim Aliyev, Zumrud Aliyeva
22. Daughter of Khojaly victim Tavakkul Amirov, Khazangul Amirova
23. Son of Khojaly victim Firdovsi Aliyev, Mehdi Aliyev
24. Daughter of Khojaly victim Tahir Khalilov, Hamayil Khalilova
25. Son of Khojaly victim Mirsiyab Huseynov, Akif Huseynov
26. Son of Khojaly victim Zinyat Huseynova, Adalat Huseynov
27. Sister of Khojaly victim Fuzuli Rustamov, Figura Rustamova
28. Daughter of Khojaly victim Zarifa Khalilova, Gulnar Karimova
29. Son of Khojaly victim Rashid Huseynov, Samir Huseynov
30. Daughter of Khojaly victim Gachay Khalilov, Tacira Khalilova
31. Daughter of Khojaly victim Vagif Maharramov, Vasila Maharramova
32. Son of Khojaly victim Huseyn Huseynov, Jamshid Huseynov
33. Son of Khojaly victim Mammad Mammadov, Murvat Mammadov
34. Mother of Khojaly victims Sohbat Mammadov and Mohlat Mammadov, Narxanim Mammadova
35. Mother of missing person Abbas Behbudov, Dilruba Behbudova
36. Wife of missing person Sakhavat Janiyev, Reyhan Janiyeva
37. Wife of missing person Azad Jabbarov, Farida Jabbarova
38. Wife of missing person Abulfat Aliyev, Nazani Aliyeva
39. Mother of missing person Shahin Aliyev, Mahuru Shahin
40. Son of missing person Feyruz Jalilov, Gabil Jalilov
41. Wife of missing person Ogtay Mammadov, Parvana Mammadova
42. Mother of missing person Telman Yusifov, Zarifa Yusifova
43. Mother of missing person Bafadar Mirzayev, Sakina Mirzayeva
44. Mother of missing person Bakhtiyar Fatullayev, Sona Fatullayeva
45. Wife of missing person Zahir Gasimov, Minaya Gasimova
46. Daughter of missing person Aydin Rahimov, Pustakhanim Kalbiyeva
47. Daughter of missing person Ahmad Mammadov, Sevinc Hajiyeva
48. Son of missing person Etibar Ahmadov, Ilham Ahmadov
49. Sister of missing person Shirindil Hasanguliyev, Nazli Hasanguliyeva
50. Wife of missing person Telman Gurbanov, Afina Gurbanova
51. Mother of missing person Telman Mustafayev, Tahira Mustafayeva
52. Wife of missing person Natig Malikov, Yagut Shirinova
53. Mother of missing person Zahir Abdulov, Raya Abdulova
54. Wife of missing person Salim Ahmadov, Reyhan Ahmadova
55. Wife of martyr Vidadi Khalilov, Narmin Khalilova
56. Mother of martyr Yashar Sadigov, Asli Sadigova
57. Wife of martyr Akram Shadmanov, Gulshan Rahimzade
58. Wife of martyr Ramiz Gasimov, Gunel Gasimova
59. Wife of martyr Emin Suleymanov, Mahsati Suleymanova
60. Wife of martyr Orkhan Akbarov, Nurana Akbarova
61. Wife of martyr Vugar Yusifov, Lala Aliyeva
62. Wife of martyr Garib Bakhshaliyev, Gulnara Bakhshaliyeva
63. Mother of martyr Savalan Gafarov, Khayala Gafarova
64. Wife of martyr Rashad Guliyev, Aytan Guliyeva
65. Wife of martyr Elzamin Tahmazov, Gunay Tahmazova
66. Wife of martyr Nail Orujov, Nigar Agamaliyeva
67. Wife of martyr Shukur Hamidov, Konul Hamidova
68. Wife of martyr Babak Ramaldanov, Aygun Ramaldanova
69. Wife of martyr Natiq Ismayilov, Nigar Ismayilova
70. Wife of martyr Mehman Ganbarov, Khuraman Ganbarova
71. Mother of martyr Camal Ismayilov, Filara Ismayilova
72. Mother of martyr Soltan Mammadov, Sumaya Mammadova
73. Wife of martyr Yashar Sadigov, Nishana Sadigova
74. Mine victim Sohbat Shirinov
75. Mine victim Hafiz Azimzada
76. Mine victim Bahruz Camalov
77. Mine victim Vakil Valiyev
78. Mine victim Yavar Babayev
79. Mine victim Zamaddin Hasanov
80. Mine victim Hasanali Alizada
81. Mine victim Ilgar Baghirov
82. Mine victim Avaz Ismayilov
83. Mine victim Akif Huseynov
84. Mine victim Huseyn Huseynov
85. Mine victim Bayram Huseynov
86. Mine victim Ruhin Valiyev
87. Mine victim Khazar Babashov
88. Mine victim Suleyman Heydarov
89. Mine victim Tamam Jafarova
90. Mine victim Dilbar Isayeva
91. Mine victim Elman Jafarov
92. Mine victim Zabil Mammadov
93. Mine victim Oktay Badalov
94. Wife of deceased mine victim Yavar Babayev, Malahat Babayeva
95. Father of deceased mine victim Razi Huseynov, Akif Huseynov
96. Father of deceased mine victim Ramal Ojaqquliyev, Kamal Ojaqquliyev
97. Father of deceased mine victim Israyil Hasanov, Ibrahim Hasanov
98. Father of deceased mine victim Amid Hasanov, Huseyn Hasanov