PACE expresses concern over Armenia’s political climate, urges release of Armenian hostages from Baku

(Horizon Weekly / STRASBOURG) – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has adopted Resolution 2633 during its annual winter session on January 26, reviewing the monitoring situation in several member states, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.

In its assessment of Armenia, the Assembly expressed concern over what it described as excessive political polarization and the continued stigmatization of political opponents. It highlighted growing tensions between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Church, warning that such divisions are deepening mistrust within society and weakening democratic dialogue.

While noting that Armenia’s elections since 2018 have generally been free of major irregularities, the Assembly underlined persistent shortcomings in the regulation of public resources and political party financing. Ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections, it called on the authorities to improve relations with the opposition and ensure that political competition is based on policy debates rather than personal attacks. It also urged political leaders to adopt clear rules against hate speech and intimidation.

The report reflects broader concerns about the government’s handling of internal dissent and institutional relations, including its strained relationship with the Church, which remains a central pillar of Armenian national and cultural life. Observers note that these tensions risk undermining social cohesion and public confidence in state institutions.

Regarding Azerbaijan, the Assembly focused on the deteriorating human rights situation and the growing number of individuals imprisoned on politically motivated charges. It strongly urged Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release all such detainees, including 23 Armenian prisoners, along with journalists, civil society activists, and opposition figures.

The Assembly condemned what it described as retaliatory prosecutions and called on Baku to comply with rulings of the European Court of Human Rights. It stressed that the continued detention of Armenian captives remains a serious humanitarian and political issue, and urged Azerbaijan to take concrete steps toward accountability and justice.

On Turkey, the Assembly reiterated its long-standing criticism of democratic backsliding and judicial interference. It called for the release of prominent political prisoners, the restoration of judicial independence, and an end to pressure on opposition figures and journalists. At the same time, it welcomed recent efforts to reduce violence and promote political stability.

Overall, the resolution highlights growing concerns over governance and democratic standards in the region. While Armenia was recognized for past electoral progress, the Assembly’s findings underline dissatisfaction with the current government’s approach to political dialogue and institutional relations. At the same time, its strong demand for the release of Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan reflects continued international attention to unresolved humanitarian and justice issues stemming from the conflict.