President, Honourable Members,
Like this House, the Commission is following the trials against the sixteen Karabakh Armenian defendants that are taking place at the Baku Military Court since 17 January of this year.
We are aware that human rights organisations have expressed concerns over the fairness of the trials and treatment of the accused. Many of you have expressed similar concerns here today. We take these concerns very seriously and are closely following the developments. The right to a fair trial must be ensured and respected. The European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus is also closely following related issues and relaying our concerns to the authorities in Baku.
Our relationship with Azerbaijan is founded on principles both sides have committed themselves to – first and foremost the respect for human rights and the rule of law.
The European Union will therefore continue to call on the government of Azerbaijan to abide by its international obligations, which include the right to due process and a fair trial. We will use every opportunity to urge Azerbaijan to ensure dignified and safe conditions for detainees. The reports of torture and ill-treatment should be promptly and impartially investigated.
The trials of Baku Military Court touch on the much larger question of achieving lasting and sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, of building a peaceful, stable and prosperous South Caucasus.
We therefore continue to call on both Armenia and Azerbaijan to build on their achievements and to continue making progress on their path towards full normalisation of relations. It is important that the governments of both countries take their societies along on this path. The European Union will continue to support this process with all the tools at our disposal: we stand ready to help the parties in their dialogue aimed at achieving lasting and sustainable peace.
Honourable Members,
I am grateful for this House’s persistence in drawing attention to the situation in Azerbaijan and the wider region. It is an expression of our shared commitment to human rights and the rule of law as guiding principles in our engagement with Azerbaijan and other partners around the world.
Thank you.
[Watch the video](https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-268794) (starting at 22:45)