Azerbaijan-Armenia peace deal signed, but activists demand real change beyond ceasefire
A peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia was signed in Washington, DC, on 8 August. While the deal marked a formal step toward ending hostilities, concerns remain about its real impact on the ground. Local activists and observers warn that lasting peace requires more than just a ceasefire—it demands justice and openness.
The agreement has so far brought only what experts call negative peace—an absence of war, but no deeper change. Azerbaijan’s borders, closed since 2020, stay shut, disrupting daily life and slowing progress. Meanwhile, no political prisoners have been freed, despite hopes that the Washington talks would trigger releases.
Civil society groups had pushed for the release of detainees like peace activist Bahruz Samadov, who remains imprisoned. Others, such as human rights defenders Leyla and Arif Yunus, were either jailed on disputed charges or forced into exile. Their cases highlight ongoing repression, with Azerbaijan ranking 167th out of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index.
For peace to take root, observers stress the need for transparency and public trust. Independent media must function freely, and political prisoners should be released. Without these steps, the agreement risks remaining symbolic rather than transformative.
The peace deal’s success now hinges on actions beyond the initial signing. Freeing prisoners, reopening borders, and allowing independent journalism would signal real progress. Until then, the agreement’s promise of stability remains unfulfilled for many in the region.
