British Lawmakers Join Armenian Community in Urging Formula 1 CEO to Stop Enabling Azerbaijan

February 4, 2020, Assago, Milano, Italia: Foto Claudio Grassi/LaPresse.4 febbraio 2020 Assago (MI) Italia .sport .basket .AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano vs ALBA Berlino - Turkish Airlines Eurolega 2019/2020 - Mediolanum Forum..Nella foto: Stefano Domenicali (AD Lamborghini)..Photo Claudio Grassi/LaPresse.February 4, 2020 Assago (MI) Italy.sport.basket .AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan vs ALBA Berlin - Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 2019/2020 - Mediolanum Forum..in the pic: Stefano Domenicali (Credit Image: © Claudio Grassi/Lapresse via ZUMA Press)

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 F1 Grand Prix.

The signatories remind that six Armenian political prisoners – former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh – 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