1000 Days Too Long

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Following Azerbaijan's military assault on Artsakh in September 2023, which resulted in the ethnic cleansing of more than 100,000 indigenous Armenians from their ancestral homeland, 19 Artsakh-Armenian hostages were unlawfully detained by Azerbaijani authorities. Among them are seven former democratically elected leaders of the Republic of Artsakh, alongside other political and military representatives.

Their only "crime" was serving their people and upholding the democratic aspirations and right to self-determination of the Armenians of Artsakh on their historic homeland. In return, they have been subjected to politically motivated prosecutions and severe prison sentences, including life imprisonment.

For nearly three ...

Following Azerbaijan's military assault on Artsakh in September 2023, which resulted in the ethnic cleansing of more than 100,000 indigenous Armenians from their ancestral homeland, 19 Artsakh-Armenian hostages were unlawfully detained by Azerbaijani authorities. Among them are seven former democratically elected leaders of the Republic of Artsakh, alongside other political and military representatives.

Their only "crime" was serving their people and upholding the democratic aspirations and right to self-determination of the Armenians of Artsakh on their historic homeland. In return, they have been subjected to politically motivated prosecutions and severe prison sentences, including life imprisonment.

For nearly three years, these hostages have endured sham trials widely condemned by international human rights organisations, alongside reports of psychological and physical abuse, inadequate living conditions, restricted access to legal counsel, and prolonged isolation from the outside world.

As the grim milestone of 1,000 days of detention approaches, Australia cannot remain silent. The Australian Government must join its democratic allies in unequivocally condemning the unlawful detention of these hostages and calling for their immediate and unconditional release. Through this campaign, we seek to raise public awareness of their plight and urge Australian leaders to take meaningful action in defence of human rights, justice, and the rule of law.

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Email Your Local MP

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Write to your local Member of Parliament, The Prime Minister & The Minister for Foreign Affairs demanding the Australian Government condemn the imprisonment of these hostages and call for their unconditional release.

Your email will make a massive difference in mobilising your local MP and our nation's leaders to take action on this issue.

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Subject:

On 29 June 2026, the 19 Artsakh-Armenian hostages held by Azerbaijan - including eight former political and military leaders of the Republic of Artsakh - will mark 1,000 days in detention. I am writing to ask you to raise their case with the Foreign Minister before that date.

Following sham proceedings before an Azerbaijani military court, condemned by leading international human rights organisations, the detainees have been sentenced to 15 to 20 years' imprisonment. Their only "crime" was serving as elected representatives of their people and defending the right of the Armenians of Artsakh to self-determination on their ancestral lands.

The trials lacked the most basic safeguards: detainees were denied counsel of their own choosing, proceedings were held largely behind closed doors with information released only through Azerbaijan's state news agency, and court documents were provided solely in Azerbaijani — a language the detainees do not understand.

Conditions in detention are equally alarming. The hostages have reportedly endured physical and psychological abuse, inadequate medical care, and denial of basic necessities including sufficient food and clean water. Azerbaijan has since forced the closure of the International Committee of the Red Cross's remaining offices — the sole independent mechanism monitoring detention conditions — leaving the detainees with virtually no external oversight, legal assistance, or contact with their families.

Australia's response has fallen behind its allies. In April 2026, the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning Azerbaijan's unjust detention of Armenian prisoners and demanding their immediate and unconditional release. Australia has made no equivalent statement.

As my local Member of Parliament, I ask you to lobby the Australian Government to:

- Condemn the politically motivated show trials and unlawful detention of the Armenian hostages;
- Call for their immediate and unconditional release, using all appropriate diplomatic avenues; and
- Denounce the ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Armenian population of Artsakh and support their right to return safely to their homeland under international protections.

I would appreciate a written response outlining the actions you intend to take, and I thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Yours sincerely,

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