International Human Rights Defenders Nominate Armenian POW and Philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan for Prestigious Václav Havel Human Rights Prize

Ruben Vardanyan, the former State Minister of Artsakh who is currently being held in a prison in Baku, has been nominated for the 2026 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize by a group of international human rights defenders and humanitarian figures.

According to the statement released by the nominating group, the nomination is based on Vardanyan’s contributions to global human rights efforts through the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, as well as his public advocacy for the rights of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh.

The statement highlighted the work of the Aurora Prize, which was co-founded by Ruben Vardanyan together with Noubar Afeyan and the late Vartan Gregorian. According to the group, the humanitarian initiative has supported human rights work around the world and helped save thousands of lives across different countries and continents.

The statement also described Vardanyan as someone deeply committed to the protection of human rights and human dignity. It noted that his decision to move to Artsakh during a difficult period came from his belief in defending the rights of the indigenous Armenian population living there.

The nominating group said Vardanyan, despite being a pacifist by belief, placed his own life and future at risk in order to search for dialogue, negotiations, and understanding in one of the world’s most sensitive conflict zones.

The statement further connected Vardanyan’s work and values to the principles of Václav Havel, after whom the award is named. It referenced Havel’s words about human dignity, solidarity, and coexistence, saying that Vardanyan’s activities reflect the same ideals.

At the same time, the group pointed out what it described as the irony of the current situation, noting that Vardanyan himself is now in need of international protection after being sentenced by Azerbaijan’s military court to 20 years in prison on what they called fabricated charges. The statement added that he is currently being held in Baku together with several other former Artsakh officials and Armenian detainees.

The nominators expressed hope that awarding the prize to Vardanyan would not only recognize his humanitarian efforts but also help increase international attention toward securing the release of Armenian prisoners currently being held in Baku.

The nomination was submitted by an international group that includes writer and anti-trafficking advocate Vahan Zanoyan, Burundian human rights activist Marguerite Barankitse, American humanitarian doctor Tom Catena, Congolese rights defender Julienne Lusenge, and Iraqi Yazidi activist Mirza Dinnayi.

Azerbaijan detained Ruben Vardanyan in September 2023 while he was attempting to leave Nagorno-Karabakh through the Lachin Corridor following Azerbaijan’s military takeover of the region. Azerbaijani authorities later brought more than 40 charges against him, including accusations related to terrorism financing, illegal armed groups, and illegally crossing the state border.

A military court in Baku later sentenced Vardanyan to 20 years in prison.

—

Support independent reporting from the region by subscribing to The Armenian Report. Our team is funded solely by readers like you.