Calls are growing for President Donald Trump to step up and help release 24 Christians currently detained in Azerbaijan, a move that many advocates hope will highlight ongoing religious persecution in the region.
A letter addressed to Trump has gathered signatures from a coalition of prominent Christian leaders, urging him to assist these individuals who they claim are being held unjustly by the Azerbaijani government.
This letter, organized by the advocacy group Save Armenia, specifies that 23 of the prisoners are Armenian Christians, alongside one Azeri Christian convert.
Noteworthy figures among the signatories include Sam Brownback, former U.S. Ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, and Christian musician Sean Feucht.
Other prominent names lending their support include Troy Miller, president of the National Religious Broadcasters, and civil rights activist Alveda King.
The letter highlights Trump’s previous support for Armenia, recognizing his efforts during the 2024 campaign to stand with persecuted Christians.
In their correspondence, they expressed concern over Azerbaijan’s treatment of these Christians, including reports of routine torture while calling out the lack of action from the current administration.
They pointed to a troubling history, noting that nearly two years ago Azerbaijan expelled over 120,000 Christian Armenians from their homes amid international silence.
The leaders of the letter further conveyed their disappointment that the International Committee of the Red Cross, which previously had access to monitor the detainees, has been asked to leave the country.
In recent years, Azerbaijan has faced scrutiny over its treatment of religious minorities, especially in light of ongoing tensions with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
In fact, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has categorized Azerbaijan as one of the top violators of religious freedoms globally.
Azerbaijan’s reputation took a hit in 2023 when experts accused the regime of acting with intent to conduct ethnic cleansing against Christians.
The advocacy group International Christian Concern included Azerbaijan in its list of the worst persecutors of Christians, underlining a broader narrative of systemic repression.
In their urgent plea, the leaders remarked that Trump is “the only one who can rescue these Christian hostages,” citing recent events where diplomatic pressure resulted in the release of other detainees.
They further urged Trump to leverage his influence to ensure that the suffering of these 24 Christians does not get overlooked.
Last year, calls were made for the current U.S. administration to impose sanctions on Azerbaijan due to reports of torture and abuse directed at Armenian Christians.
Armenia, recognized as the world’s first country to adopt Christianity in 301 A.D., continues to grapple with the legacy of past atrocities including the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians during World War I.
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