Breaking
The Case of Ruben Vardanyan, a Travesty of Justice
By Hasmik Egian
Few outside the field of human rights law know of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD). On November 11, 2024, it ruled that the arrest of Armenian national Ruben Vardanyan in Baku was not arbitrary — a conclusion that contrasts sharply with Azerbaijan’s record of human rights abuses condemned by major international bodies.
Concerns have arisen over a conflict of interest involving WGAD Chair-Rapporteur Ganna Yudkivska, who is also a partner at a law firm representing Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company (SOCAR). It remains unclear whether UN authorities were aware of this link when the opinion was issued.
Swiss Peace Initiative Highlights Karabakh Armenians’ Right to Return as Key to Lasting Peace at UNHRC
At a UN Human Rights Council side event, Swiss MPs and experts promoted the Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno-Karabakh as a credible path to sustainable peace.
The Initiative centers on the safe and collective return of displaced Karabakh Armenians, viewing it as a cornerstone of justice and reconciliation.
ECHR Demands Azerbaijan Account for 23 Armenian Hostages
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) orders Azerbaijan to report on the condition and treatment of unlawfully detained Armenians in Baku.
Azerbaijan’s Ethnic Cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Genocidal Policy
“It is Still Not Too late to Undo the Ethnic Cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh”: Christian Solidarity International’s UN Representative Abi McDougal
At the UN Human Rights Council, Christian Solidarity International urged global action to reverse the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh and ensure Armenians’ right to return, as mandated by the International Court of Justice.
EU Lawmaker Calls for Monitoring of Armenian Prisoners’ Trials Amid Rights Concerns in Baku
MEP Fernand Karthäuser (Luxemburg) has urged the European Commission to send representatives to Baku to observe the trials of detained Armenians, citing lack of transparency and humanitarian oversight.
Azerbaijan’s closure of the ICRC office and reports of deteriorating health, isolation, and fabricated charges against detainees raise serious human rights concerns.
Armenian Archbishop Decries International ‘Indifference’ to His People’s Plight
By Solène Tadié
“One day, troops came suddenly and drove us out from our ancestral land, our connections, our heart,” the archbishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan of Artsakh said.
His faith in return is unwavering. He has even begun developing a documentary project titled Return. “Justice will take its own way, but darkness cannot overcome the light,” he said
Armenian Foreign Minister Meets ICRC President to Discuss POWs and Humanitarian Issues
Ararat Mirzoyan and Mirjana Spoljaric Egger discussed the release of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian detainees in Azerbaijan, including challenges posed by the closure of the ICRC office.
Both sides expressed hope that the August 8 Washington Peace Summit agreements will help resolve ongoing humanitarian concerns.
Two Important Developments on the Right of Return for Nagorno Karabakh Armenians
By Vartan Oskanian
- The International Court of Justice has obliged Azerbaijan to ensure the safe return of displaced Armenians.
- The European Parliament, French and Belgian parliaments, and Switzerland have all reaffirmed this principle through resolutions and initiatives.
- These actions signal that the right of return is not just a demand of displaced Armenians but a growing expression of the international community’s will.
- Azerbaijan continues to reject the right of return.
- Despite resistance, the right of return remains firmly on the international agenda.
Driven by Fear from Nagorno-Karabakh
Molding Hope: Displaced Artsakh Men Shape New Lives Through Clay and Creativity
From the pain of displacement, two Artsakh men rediscover purpose through clay-making in Karin village With support from Armenia Tree Project, Tigran and Narek turn an old shed into a thriving ceramics workshop Their handmade pottery symbolizes resilience, unity, and the power of creation after loss.
Netherlands Allocates €14 Million to Support Housing for Displaced Artsakh Armenians in Armenia
Photos of the Week
On September 30, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia Narek Mkrtchyan with Congressman
Abraham Hamadeh (Republican).
Photo Courtesy of the Embassy of Armenia to the U.S.
EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) joined the traditional Gata Festival in the border village of Khachik, celebrating Armenia’s rich culture and community spirit. Gata — a sweet Armenian pastry symbolizing hospitality and prosperity — was at the heart of the festivities.
Photo Courtesy of EUMA.
Security
U.S. and Armenia Launch Capability Gap Analysis to Enhance Border Management
From September 29 to October 11, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) team is collaborating with the Armenian Border Guard (ABG) to assess operational capabilities and identify areas for improvement through the Capability Gap Analysis Process (CGAP). This initiative marks the first step in implementing the Crossroads of Peace Capacity Building Partnership, signed on August 8 at the White House, reinforcing the shared commitment to stronger, more secure borders.
Armenian FM Delivers Address at the Warsaw Security Forum
- Armenia reaffirms commitment to European values, democracy, and human rights.
- Peace with Azerbaijan recognized territorial integrity and unblocked transport, enhancing regional security.
- South Caucasus stability strengthens sovereignty and reduces dependence on external powers.
- Armenia may adopt a law making EU accession a mandatory policy, signaling clear Western orientation.
- European Political Community Summit to be hosted in Yerevan in May 2026, strengthening Euro-Atlantic ties.
Ambassador Mkrtchyan Meets with US Senator Steve Daines to Advance Armenia-U.S. Partnership
On October 7, Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan met with U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) to discuss key priorities of the Armenia-U.S. bilateral agenda and explore opportunities to deepen strategic cooperation.
Armenian FM Meets U.S. Under Secretary Brent Christensen on Strengthening Strategic Partnership
The meeting focused on implementing agreements from the August 8 Washington memoranda, particularly in energy and artificial intelligence. Both sides exchanged views on regional developments and deepening Armenia–U.S. collaboration within international platforms.
Economy
Armenia Weighs Global Offers to Build New Modular Nuclear Plant
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Armenia is negotiating with Russia, the U.S., China, France, and South Korea to replace the aging Metsamor nuclear plant.
The new facility will be a small modular reactor, marking a shift toward modern and safer nuclear technology.
Education
Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. and Democracy International Launch ‘Democracy Journeys’ Initiative
Ambassador Narek Mkrtchyan met with representatives of Democracy International to review ongoing programs in Armenia and explore new partnership opportunities. Democracy Journeys initiative to boost public awareness in the U.S. and foster tourism, education, and cultural exchange.
Gyumri American Corner Reopens in New Location to Strengthen U.S. -Armenia Cultural Exchange
The reopening was made possible through collaboration between the U.S. Embassy Yerevan, Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, and the Shirak Regional Library.
The American Corner will offer programs promoting U.S. culture, English learning, innovation, and professional development for the Gyumri community.
Opinion
BBC Finds Russian Guards, Iranian Trucks and Rusting Railway on Trump’s Caucasus Peace Route
By Grigor Atanesian
A formal peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia has not yet been signed, but one thing is clear: since the Washington meeting, not a single shot has been fired on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Trump’s intervention has brought at least temporary relief to those who for years have lived in fear of renewed fighting.
A Prosperous, Peaceful Armenia is in Britain’s Interests
By Varuzhan Nersesyan
The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity has the potential to transform the South Caucasus.
For the UK, deepening ties with Armenia strengthens its presence in a region of growing geostrategic weight. With the UK at Armenia’s side, the vision scales from map to market: a partnership that turns peace into prosperity.
Armenia vs. Azerbaijan: Competing Narratives at the UN
By Sossi Tatikyan
The 80th session of the UN General Assembly coincided with a painful date for Armenia: the fifth anniversary of the 2020 war, when Azerbaijan launched a 44-day military offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh. The advancement of the peace process depends on whether Azerbaijan aligns its rhetoric with the texts it has initialed—and whether the United States, the EU, and other actors hold Baku accountable for compliance.