A group of British lawmakers and Armenian community leaders have appealed to Formula One President and CEO Stefano Domenicali demanding to “stop enabling Azerbaijan to sportswash their crimes” as the country hosts the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
They signatories remind that six Armenian political prisoners – former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh – who are being unlawfully held hostage by Azerbaijani authorities.
They note that the Armenian prisoners have been refused a proper trial and access to independent international legal advice, or any visitors; and denied proper food or medical treatment. They endure severe mistreatment in violation of both domestic and international law, including the ICCPR and ECHR.
“Formula 1’s presence risks distracting from Azerbaijan’s human rights abuses. Formula 1 cannot claim to have a positive impact in Azerbaijan while these Armenian hostages remain imprisoned. Profits must not come at the expense of human rights,” the letter reads.
“Formula 1 must stop enabling regimes like Azerbaijan to sportswash their crimes. By speaking out against this injustice and calling for the release of the Armenian political prisoners in Azerbaijan, Formula 1 can demonstrate its commitment to human rights in the countries it visits,” the signatories say.
SIGNATORIES:
- Alex Sobel MP (UK House of Commons)
- Andrew Rosindell MP (UK House of Commons)
- Chris Law MP (UK House of Commons)
- Baroness Cox (UK House of Lords)
- Lord Alton of Liverpool (UK House of Lords)
- Free Armenian Prisoners
- Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust UK
- Bishop Hovakim Manukyan (Primate of the Armenian Church in the UK and Ireland)
- Armenian Community Council of the UK
- Armenian National Committee UK
- Armenian General Benevolent Union London
- Armenian Youth
- Federation London
- Armenian Relief Society of GB
- The Armenian Institute
- Armenian Medical Association GB
- Armenian Relief Society of GB
- Armenian Medical Association GB
- Homenetmen London
- Armenian House
- Armenian Language Saturday School, London
- Hamazkayin UK
