Former Minister of State of Nagorno-Karabakh, co-founder of the “Aurora” humanitarian initiative, Ruben Vardanyan, who is currently serving a twenty-year sentence in an Azerbaijani prison, was nominated for the 2026 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Award.
Vardanyan’s candidacy was nominated by the international initiative group, which includes world-famous human rights defenders and philanthropists. writer Vahan Zanoyan, founder of a care home in Burundi Margarit Barankitse, American doctor Tom Katina, Congolese activist Julien Lusenge and Iraqi human rights activist Mirza Dina. In their joint statement, they emphasized that the decision was based on Vardanyan’s significant contribution to the protection of human rights at the global level, as well as his selfless struggle to protect the rights of his compatriots in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The authors particularly emphasized the role of the “Aurora” prize, thanks to which thousands of lives have been saved on different continents.
In the statement of human rights defenders, Vardanyan is described as a convinced pacifist who risked his own security and prosperous future in order to find ways of dialogue and mutual understanding in one of the most complex conflict zones in the world. Drawing parallels between Vardanyan’s philosophy and Vaclav Havel’s ideals, the nominators pointed to their shared unwavering belief in human dignity, solidarity and the triumph of reason.
According to the group, Vardanyan’s transfer to Artsakh was dictated solely by the desire to protect the fundamental rights of the indigenous population.
At the same time, the authors of the application note with pain the tragic irony of the created situation. Today, the outstanding philanthropist himself is in dire need of the protection of the international community. In September 2023, he was sentenced to twenty years in prison by a military court in Baku after being captured in Lachin Corridor. The Azerbaijani side has brought more than forty accusations against him, including financing of terrorism, illegal crossing of the border and creation of armed groups. accusations that the human rights community describes as fabricated.
By nominating Vardanyan for the Haveli Prize, international activists hope that it will become an important step towards the release of both the famous philanthropist and other Armenian prisoners held in Baku.
—
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Chakrian Hovsep. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2026/05/19/ruben-vardanyan-detained-in-baku-was-nominated-for-the-haveli-prize/