The Armenian National Committee of Canada Raised the Issue of Armenian Political Prisoners Held in Baku Prisons

On Thursday, March 20, 2025, representatives of the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) Western Region participated in the annual fundraising event of British Columbia’s Minister of Energy, Hon. Adrian Dix, in Vancouver.

During the event, ANCC representatives, Eddie Pspazian Jack DerAgopian and Chelse Papazian , had the opportunity to meet with Minister Dix, as well as several other members of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, and Canadian Member of Parliament Hon. Don Davies.

In the course of these meetings, ANCC representatives presented several pressing issues to political officials, including the upcoming Armenian Genocide commemoration events and advocacy initiatives planned in various Canadian cities. Particular attention was drawn to the ongoing ethnic cleansing carried out by Azerbaijan and the cultural genocide against Armenians, which pose a direct threat to the return of the Armenians of Artsakh and the very existence of the Armenian people.

The ANCC representatives specifically highlighted the dire situation of Armenian political prisoners, the former leadership of the Republic of Artsakh, who have been illegally captured and are being held in Baku’s prisons. They called on Canada’s political leadership not to remain silent in the face of this grave injustice and to take concrete steps to demand their immediate release.

During the event, Minister Dix, in his open speech, underscored the fundamental right of Indigenous Armenians to return to their ancestral homeland, emphasizing that Canada must take a more active role in ensuring this just cause is addressed. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the displaced Armenian population and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to advocating for human rights, justice, and the protection of persecuted communities worldwide.