City of Glendale Adopts Resolution Urging Immediate Release of Armenian Hostages Held by Azerbaijan
On the evening of October 22, 2024, the City of Glendale made a powerful statement in defense of human rights by adopting a resolution calling for the immediate release of Armenian hostages currently held by Azerbaijan, reports The Armenian Report. This action was taken during a city council meeting held at the Glendale Council Chambers, marking a significant moment for Glendale’s large Armenian-American community.
The resolution, introduced by Mayor Pro Tem Ardashes “Ardy” Kassakhian, was presented to the public with a strong sense of urgency and purpose. Council member Ara Najarian took the opportunity to share a personal connection, speaking passionately about his friendship with former Artsakh president Bako Sahakyan, one of the hostages. This emotional appeal reinforced the importance of the resolution to the local community and beyond.
Council member Vartan Gharapetian made the motion to approve the resolution, with Council member Dan Brotman offering his support by seconding the motion. The Glendale City Council then voted unanimously, 5-0, in favor of the resolution. Although Glendale Mayor Elen Asatryan was absent from the meeting, she had expressed her full support for the initiative.
Mihran Toumajan, a Glendale resident and community activist, took the floor during the public comment period to voice his strong support for the resolution. A 19-year resident of the city and a descendant of Armenian Genocide survivors, Toumajan spoke with gratitude for the council’s actions. He emphasized the need for justice and human rights in the face of Azerbaijan’s ongoing detention of Armenian civilians and political figures, many of whom are being held without due process.
“As a great-grandson of Armenian Genocide survivors, I extend my profound gratitude to the City Council for demanding the immediate release of Armenian hostages by Azerbaijan,” Toumajan stated. His remarks show the long history of Armenian struggle and resilience, drawing attention to the continued abuses reported by organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. These reports document the mistreatment of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians, who are subject to torture and degrading conditions under Azerbaijani custody.
Despite the November 2020 ceasefire agreement between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia, which mandated the exchange of prisoners, Azerbaijan has continued to hold Armenian hostages, many of them prominent political figures from Artsakh. Among those held are former state officials such as Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Ruben Vardanyan, a former state minister and philanthropist.
Azerbaijan’s actions have drawn international criticism, particularly in light of their hosting of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in mid-November 2024. Council member Kassakhian pointed out the hypocrisy of Azerbaijan hosting such an event while continuing to violate basic human rights. “This is the height of hypocrisy given that the country is a petro dictatorship funding its war machine on the back of petroleum exports,” Kassakhian said.
The resolution adopted by Glendale is not just a local declaration but a call for global attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis. It demands that international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council and the U.S. government, apply diplomatic pressure on Azerbaijan to release the hostages. The council’s decision reflects Glendale’s commitment to supporting its Armenian-American community and advocating for justice in the South Caucasus region.
Council member Kassakhian emphasized that Glendale’s voice, though small, could make a difference in a world that often remains silent in the face of injustice. “When the whole world is silent, even one voice is powerful,” he said, quoting a sentiment that resonates deeply with the city’s residents.
As the world watches Azerbaijan’s actions, Glendale’s resolution sends a clear message of solidarity and hope for the families of those held hostage. The city hopes that other councils around the world will follow suit, taking similar actions to support the immediate release of the Armenian detainees and standing up for basic human rights.
The resolution is a reflection of Glendale’s deeply rooted connection to its Armenian-American population. With one of the largest concentrations of Armenian immigrants in the U.S., many residents have personal ties to the ongoing conflict in Artsakh. The city council’s decision to take a stand on this issue is seen not only as a political statement but as a moral imperative.
In the words of longtime resident Mihran Toumajan, “This resolution inspires a sense of hope in the hearts and minds of family members of all Armenian hostages unlawfully held by Azerbaijan.” For Glendale, this is more than just a piece of legislation—it is a beacon of hope for a community that has endured years of struggle and injustice.
