Amnesty International is urging European authorities to take immediate action to halt the enforced return of Armenian asylum seekers and refugees to Russia. These individuals face the imminent threat of persecution and potential human rights violations. The organization’s briefing paper, titled “Europe’s point of no return,” reveals that countries such as Germany, Poland, Romania, France, and Croatia have participated in or attempted to deport asylum seekers with the intention of evading their international protection obligations. It is essential for these nations to recognize that individuals returning to the South Caucasus region frequently experience mistreatment, violence, and persecution, potentially being drawn into active conflicts with Russian aggression in Ukraine, as stated by Nils Muižnieks, Amnesty International’s Europe Director.

The situation concerning migrants’ rights in the South Caucasus, notably in Chechnya, is deeply concerning. Numerous individuals, including sexual and gender minorities, religious and ethnic minorities, have been compelled to flee their homelands due to the precariousness of their circumstances. It is imperative that European countries comprehend how repatriating individuals to Russia will only further exacerbate their already dire predicament. Amnesty International proposes that these vulnerable individuals be considered for resettlement, offered temporary protection, or provided with other meaningful forms of support to safeguard their rights and preserve their lives.