SYDNEY: NSW Parliamentary Friends of Armenia Co-Chairs, Dr Hugh McDermott MP and Mr Tim James MP, have written to Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, raising “serious reservations” over the Armenia-Azerbaijan-US peace summit and its failure to address critical issues, including the release of Armenian hostages, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU).
James, the Member for Willoughby and McDermott, the Member for Prospect raised four key issues which they said “the agreement fails to provide for” including, the release of Armenian hostages, the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenian borders, a right of return for Artsakh refugees under international guarantees and the protection of Armenian religious and cultural heritage sites in Artsakh.
McDermott, who is currently acting as a protection sponsor for Armenian hostage
David Manukyan and James, who is also acting as a sponsor for
Levon Mnatsakanyan, raised the ongoing and illegal detention of Armenian hostages in the letter to the Foreign Minister, calling for “further action” for those detained in Azerbaijan.
The letter reads: "reports persist that Azerbaijan has shut down the office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Azerbaijan, which was the only independent body monitoring the wellbeing and safety of Armenian hostages."
“Their plight, and that of many other Armenians, remains a pressing humanitarian concern that requires international concern and advocacy, including further involvement for Australia.”
They join former Australian Foreign Minister
Gareth Evans who penned a letter to the Foreign Minister calling on Australia to assist in securing the release of Mr Ruben Vardanyan, a close colleague of Evans and all other Armenian hostages.
In the letter, the co-chairs have also called for a “stronger public stance and ongoing involvement” in the protection of Armenian heritage in the region, whilst urging the government to demonstrate “public support for the right of return for those forcibly displaced from Artsakh.”
Armenian National Committee of Australia Executive Director Michael Kolokossian said: “True peace cannot come while Armenian hostages remain in Azerbaijani prisons, families are denied the right to return home, and centuries of heritage are under threat.”
“We commend Dr Hugh McDermott and Mr Tim James for raising these urgent issues with the Foreign Minister and urge Australia to stand with justice so these voices are not forgotten.” added Kolokossian.
