Karine Stepanyan

[Free Armenian Prisoners @FrArmPrisoners]

Today, it was announced that Ruben Vardanyan has been nominated for the 2026 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize.

Named after Václav Havel – the renowned Czech statesman, playwright, publicist and human rights defender – the prize is awarded annually by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Czech Government, the Václav Havel Library, and the Charta 77 Foundation.

Established in 2013, the award recognizes exceptional contributions to the protection of human rights. Notably, many of its laureates have themselves faced persecution or imprisonment for their work. Previous recipients include Azerbaijani human rights defender Anar Mammadli, Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza, Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala, and Yazidi activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad.

The laureate for 2026 will be announced in September in Strasbourg during the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

The full text of the nomination letter is available here: https://t.co/rqUWhqxUGb

[ANCA @ANCA_DC]

Vance’s Deleted Armenian Genocide Post Sends Shockwaves across Armenian American Community:

Vice-President JD Vance's February 2026 visit to Armenia sent six dangerous signals to Armenian and allied American voters – all dramatically compounded by the scandal over his disgraceful decision to delete his own post about visiting the Armenian Genocide Memorial.

1) No meeting with Armenian refugees from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) or any public calls for their safe and dignified return: Normalizing Aliyev's ethnic cleansing of the region.

2) No meeting with opposition Armenian political parties or representatives: Normalizing Prime Minister Pashinyan's single-party, anti-democratic rule.

3) No prison visit to the jailed Armenian Apostolic Archbishops and other clergy: Normalizing Pashinyan's active persecution of the Church.

4) No dialogue with the spiritual leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Church: Normalizing Pashinyan's crackdown on Christianity in Armenia.

5) No recognition of the Armenian Genocide (he deleted his post about visiting the Genocide Memorial) Normalizing the President Trump’s retreat from U.S. recognition.

6) No meeting with the families of Armenian hostages and POWs still held by Azerbaijan: Normalizing Aliyev's brazen use of hostage diplomacy.

Each of these points raise serious concerns among Armenian American voters about Vice President Vance heading into the 2026 mid-terms and 2028 presidential election.

[Free Armenian Prisoners @FrArmPrisoners]

Today, on February 10, a joint statement was issued by Members of the European Parliament regarding Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan. The statement addresses the recent unlawful sentencing of Armenian prisoners and calls for their release as a step toward lasting peace.

Full text: https://t.co/wXduJZ3MDF

[Rep. Frank Pallone @FrankPallone]

I'm disgusted by Azerbaijan's unjust and callous sentencing of Armenian captives from Artsakh to life imprisonment—they must be released, immediately. Aliyev claims he's committed to peace and reconciliation, but he's continuing to trample on human rights and due process.

I'm calling on Vice President Vance to advocate for the release of these prisoners during his upcoming visit to the region. https://t.co/jz4iRPZ5RB

[Luis Moreno Ocampo @MorenoOcampo1]

Nagorno Karabakh leaders convicted by Azerbaijan in a sham trial. They are civilians trialed before a military court a total violation of basic human rights. If they are considered combatant the charges are wrong, they could not be charged for ordinary crimes like terrorism.

After the sham trial against Nagorno-Karabakh leaders, who are victims of ethnic cleansing and genocide, EU commission could not continue ignoring Azerbaijan violations of human rights in order to obtain an overpriced oil.

[Free Armenian Prisoners @FrArmPrisoners]

During the recent phone conversation with his wife Veronika Ruben Vardanyan shared a thought inspired by Albert Camus’s “The Rebel” (1951):

“The future is uncertain, and there is no guarantee of renewal,” said Ruben. “Yet resignation is not an option. We must act as if renewal were possible – not because it is assured, but because to do otherwise is to choose death.”

Earlier, Ruben shared with his family other reflections as well – on truth, honesty with oneself, and a person’s inner choices. This text is published here https://t.co/aW3x3kQ3R6

[301🇦🇲 @301arm]

BREAKING: Today, Azerbaijani courts announced multiple life imprisonment sentences in sham proceedings in Baku, concluding a trial against former Artsakh political leaders, military officials, and civilians that lacked any credible judicial basis.

The proceedings were conducted without fundamental fair-trial guarantees. Defendants were detained without independent judicial oversight, denied effective legal defense, and prosecuted under politically constructed accusations that failed to meet internationally recognized evidentiary and procedural standards. Rather than assessing individual responsibility, the process imposed collective criminal liability.

Former Presidents
Arayik Harutyunyan (2020-2023), life imprisonment
Arkadi Ghukasyan (2007-2020), 20 years
Bako Sahakyan (1997-2007), 20 years

Former Ministers and High Officials
Davit Ishkhanyan, life imprisonment
David Babayan, life imprisonment

Military Officials

Lieutenant general Levon Mnatsakanyan, life imprisonment
Major General David Manukyan, life imprisonment

Notably, Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were sentenced to 20-year terms on the basis of age.

Taken together, the charges, evidentiary practices, and procedural failures render the proceedings a sham trial that violates fundamental principles of due process, fair-trial rights, and the prohibition of collective punishment under international humanitarian law. The case forms part of a broader effort to criminalize Artsakh’s leadership and retroactively legitimize the 2023 use of force.

With 20 Armenians still held in detention, these sentences institutionalize an ongoing humanitarian and legal violation and demand sustained international scrutiny.

[Karine Stepanyan @kar_stepanyan]

Continuing to highlight inefficient work processes: our application for certification to provide social services was submitted to the @MLSA_Armenia long ago. To date, we have received no response. At times, it seems that submitted applications are simply not reviewed #Armenia

[301🇦🇲 @301arm]

The French National Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Armenian political prisoners held by Azerbaijan, including former political leaders of the Republic of Artsakh. Presented by MP Laurent Wauquiez on behalf of the France–Armenia Friendship Group, the resolution was adopted in plenary session with 183 votes in favor out of 183 deputies present.

The resolution reiterates France’s support for the Armenian population of Artsakh, affirms that the right of peoples to self-determination applies to them, and states that the international community has a duty to guarantee their right of return under conditions ensuring their safety.

The adopted text denounces the charges against the Armenian political prisoners as fabricated and details serious violations of fundamental rights, including inhumane detention conditions, denial of access to legal counsel, the exclusion of international observers, and allegations of torture raised before the United Nations.

It further condemns the politically motivated trials of Armenian political prisoners in Baku before a military court, including three former presidents of Artsakh, senior civilian and military officials, and former Minister of State Ruben Vardanyan, most of whom were detained following Azerbaijan’s September 2023 military attack and forced ethnic cleansing of Artsakh.

Stating that the Armenian political prisoners are being held for political leverage, the Assembly called on the French government to formally demand their immediate release.

Commenting on the vote, Mourad Papazian, member of the ARF Bureau and co-chair of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France, stated: “We have reduced Azerbaijan’s influence in France to zero.”

[We Are Our Mountains Development Agency @ourmountains_]

Children from the #WingsGyumri program spent a joyful day at the Gyumri branch of the Swiss humanitarian foundation @KASAFoundation , filled w| games, learning & new friendships.
Grateful to KASA for creating a warm & inspiring experience for the kids! ✨
#weareourmountains

[Karine Stepanyan @kar_stepanyan]

@MLSA_Armenia The ministry appears to be unaware that the RA Law “On Freedom of Information” is in force and that it is obliged to respond within legally established timeframes. It seems they are either uninformed or simply indifferent to the inquiry.
@MLSA_Armenia @NikolPashinyan

[Karine Stepanyan @kar_stepanyan]

Lately, we often hear that everything has changed in Armenia. In December, we sent an inquiry to one of the ministries, yet to this day we have not received a response.

[Karine Stepanyan @kar_stepanyan]

Needless to say, when a citizen has an issue and urgently needs to submit a complaint, they are expected to wait for months or even years to receive an answer. Or perhaps there are simply more serious matters to deal with. @MLSA_Armenia

[Karine Stepanyan @kar_stepanyan]

As psychologists, we emphasize the importance of developing the ability to be tolerant.

[Karine Stepanyan @kar_stepanyan]

There should be diverse opinions in society. And every expressed opinion should be heard and discussed, not met with harsh reactions.

#Armenia #HumanRights #nohate

[Karine Stepanyan @kar_stepanyan]

For example, recently in Armenia, one of the ministers didn’t understand why my colleagues and I consider radical feminism unacceptable. We commented that any radical action tends to be destructive.

[Karine Stepanyan @kar_stepanyan]

There seems to be a lot of extremes happening in the world and in Armenia right now. We talk about the right to free speech, but when we hear opposing opinions, we often react very strongly and sharply.

[Karine Stepanyan @kar_stepanyan]

I haven’t posted on this platform for a long time.
Maybe it’s time to start writing again and sharing my thoughts.

[Tigran Hamasyan @tigranmusic]

War Time Poem

This video is a postcard from a not-so-distant past, a gentle reminder for all of us. It’s a postcard to all the children who, even amid endless wars, are still creating their own lives and worlds full of color and dreams. This video is us, holding unanswered questions yet certain that the path we have chosen is one of honesty and love.

Vahan Stepanyan - direction
Angela Frangyan - camera footage
Areg Balayan - mobile footage
Davit Abrahamyan - drone footage

Music by Tigran Hamasyan 

The music film exclusively uses authentic footage documenting the 2020 invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh and the subsequent 2022 blockade. Angela, Areg, and Davit, who personally experienced the blockade, captured the extreme hardships faced by the people during this period. These events culminated in the complete ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population from a region where the Armenian presence dates back 5,000 years.

https://t.co/9100IRoJHr

[Free Armenian Prisoners @FrArmPrisoners]

On January 2026, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution following its latest monitoring of Council of Europe member states.
Below are the key takeaways from the resolution regarding Azerbaijan, including calls to release individuals detained on politically motivated grounds, among them 23 Armenians.
https://t.co/1NEurARh9c