You are currently viewing The EAFJD welcomes the adoption of a motion by the National Council of Switzerland to create an international forum for the Right of Return of the displaced Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh
  • Reading time:2 mins read

Brussels, 18 December- The National Council, the lower chamber of the Swiss Federal Assembly adopted a historic motion calling for the establishment of an international forum by the Government of Switzerland to facilitate and promote the right of return of the forcefully displaced indigenous Armenian Population of Nagorno-Karabakh. The motion, introduced by the Foreign Relations Committee of the Swiss National Council, calls for direct open dialogue between Armenian representatives and Azerbaijani authorities and affirms the undeniable responsibility of the international community in providing guarantees for the safe return of the displaced to their historical homeland.

Crucially, in addition to inviting representatives of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh directly, the motion’s justification explicitly states that Nagorno-Karabakh has been emptied of its Armenian population since Azerbaijan’s military actions in September 2023, citing “documented ethnic cleansing.” It emphasizes that direct threats and military operations by the Azerbaijani authorities had spread fear and forced the Armenian population  to leave their homeland within a few days. Additionally, the motion also referenced the ICJ ruling from November 2023 that called on Azerbaijan to cease its policies of cultural erasure of Armenian religious and cultural heritage, with the documented cases destruction of churches, cemeteries and civilian infrastructure further necessitating the need for international guarantees to safeguard the way of life of the displaced Armenians.

The president of the EAFJD, Kaspar Karampetian welcomed the adoption of the motion stating “This was an important step by the Swiss legislature which underscores the growing international legal and political momentum supporting the right of return for displaced Armenians of Artsakh.

 It is up to the Council of States of Switzerland and the government to seize the opportunity and ratify the motion and further pressure the relevant powers to their obligations in protecting the fundamental rights of the indigenous Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to reclaim their way of life and live safely and with dignity in their homeland”.