The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) has welcomed a powerful letter from New South Wales Legislative Council Member, the Hon. Susan Carter MLC, who has pledged to sponsor Mr Arayik Harutyunyan — the former President of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) — and has called for his immediate release from Azerbaijani custody.
In her letter addressed to Azerbaijani diplomatic representatives in Australia, Carter states: “I am writing to you in my capacity as a member of the NSW Legislative Council to declare my commitment to sponsor Mr Arayik Harutyunyan, former President of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. I call for his immediate release.”
Carter’s letter raises serious concerns about Azerbaijan’s ongoing violations of international law and human rights, specifically citing the “unlawful imprisonment of 23 Armenian prisoners” following Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing and occupation of the Republic of Artsakh in late 2023. The NSW MP urged Azerbaijani authorities to adhere to international humanitarian standards and release all political prisoners immediately.
The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) commended Carter’s principled stand and expressed gratitude on behalf of the Armenian-Australian community.
“Susan Carter has added her voice to the growing chorus of Australian lawmakers who will not be silent in the face of injustice. Her support is deeply appreciated by our community,” said Armenian National Committee of Australia Executive Director, Michael Kolokossian.
Carter joins, New South Wales legislators Hugh McDermott MP – Member for Prospect and Tim James MP – Member for Willoughby who have written directly to the Azerbaijani Chargé d’Affaires Mr Vagif Jafarov, demanding accountability and transparency in relation to Azerbaijan’s treatment of Armenian prisoners of war and political detainees.
In her letter Carter states: “I ask that, in my capacity as his sponsor, I receive regular updates on Mr Harutyunyan’s mental and physical health.”
Kolokossian warned of the urgent need for international pressure on Azerbaijan: “The ongoing detention of Armenian political leaders and civilians by the Aliyev regime is not only a breach of international law — it is a moral disgrace. The international community must act, Australia must act and our community will be adopting new measures to advocate for the release of Armenian hostages.”