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The member of the RA NA delegation to OSCE PA Lilit Galstyan gave a speech during the ongoing Autumn Meeting of the Assembly in Dublin. In her speech the MP noted:

“Dear colleagues,

The announcement that Azerbaijan, one of the worst record holders in ecology and human rights, will host the COP29 shocked many. The decision to convene this important climate gathering in Baku was taken weeks after Azerbaijan launched a brutal military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh forcing the native population of 120,000 Armenians to flee for life.

Azerbaijan’s forcible displacement of the entire Armenian population falls within the definition of ethnic cleansing, which is a crime against humanity.

Evidently, Azerbaijan will use the conference in an effort to clear its name, while in reality the regime continues to project aggression toward Armenia and the Armenians, while violating all fundamental rights of its own people.

Armenian prisoners of war and detainees, many of whom were captured during the mass exodus are currently held by Azerbaijan. Among them eight Armenian leaders, former elected presidents and officials of Nagorno Karabakh illegally arrested in September 2023.

The trials of these individuals are politically motivated, lacking legitimacy and fairness. The arbitrary detention without any evidence or due processes is a clear violation of all international norms and a total disregard of fundamental principles in line with the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.

Though Canada, U.S. and UK have repeatedly called for the unconditional release of all Armenian prisoners of war and all detained, no resolute actions have been taken by those countries to ensure abidance by the principles of international law.

Instead, Azerbaijan banned a dozen PACE deputies from entering the country ahead of the COP29 climate summit. Those Deputies voted in favor of limiting the powers of the Azerbaijani delegation at the PACE.

Dear colleagues,

We cannot ensure climate justice without justice for all.

After all, our organization is based on the belief that all people and nations are equal in their rights and responsibilities.

We have failed Karabakh Armenians and allowed genocidal actions against them. Such inaction paves the way for impunity.

I call on my colleagues to intensify efforts, to stand for victims of this forgotten war, to secure the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and POWs illegally detained in Azerbaijan.

This is a matter of justice not only for our people.

This is justice for humanity.”