L.A. County Calls for Release of Armenian Hostages

Solidarity with Artsakh at the steps of Pasadena City Hall, Oct. 15, 2020 (File Photo – Patrick Cahalan)

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell that throws the weight of Los Angeles County behind calls for the release of Armenians being held hostage by Azerbaijan.

By News Desk

At least 36 Armenian prisoners are captive and remain in Azerbaijani custody. Azerbaijan is also holding former military and political leaders of Artsakh captive as political prisoners.

“This is about accountability,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “We need to hold Azerbaijan accountable for violations of humanitarian law. As leaders of a County that is home to the greatest number of Armenians outside of Armenia itself, we must do what is within our power and use our voice to condemn Azerbaijan’s violations of human rights and urge the return of all Armenian hostages and prisoners of war. We have a moral obligation to do so. I am proud to stand in solidarity with the Armenian community.”

“The conflict between Azerbaijan and the people of Armenia impacts our Armenian community in Los Angeles County,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “We must make it clear that these crimes against humanity will not be tolerated by our government. We support the Biden administration in urging the Azerbaijan government to immediately return all Armenian prisoners of war and work toward a solution for lasting peace in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.”

The motion notes that the only “crime” committed by these hostages was the peaceful exercise of their political rights; they are being held under false and fabricated charges.

A letter will be sent with all five Supervisors’ signatures to United States President Joseph Biden, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen urging the Administration to take action at the federal level and suspend all U.S. military and economic assistance to Azerbaijan.