Armenians May Have Different Opinions on Everything but Are United in Protecting Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Freeing POWs, Ocampo Says

Former International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo is currently in Yerevan, Armenia, engaging with local and international communities about human rights issues concerning Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. During a press conference hosted by The Center for Truth and Justice, Ocampo spoke about the potential role of the Armenian diaspora in global campaigns, particularly in influencing discussions at COP29, a major international conference on climate change and global governance. Ani Khachatryan of The Armenian Report was the first to pose a question to Ocampo, asking for his insights on how the Armenian diaspora could help shape international discourse and decision-making at COP29.

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In his response, Ocampo emphasized the extraordinary global unity of the Armenian diaspora. He spoke about their ability to come together from over 30 countries to raise awareness about Armenia’s concerns, particularly regarding the ongoing situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the plight of Armenian hostages. 

Ocampo recalled his participation in a social media campaign launched on April 24, the day Armenians commemorate the Armenian Genocide. This campaign, which used hashtags like #COP29 #StopGenocide and #FreeArmenianHostages, successfully gained attention on social media platforms. “If you open COP29,” Ocampo noted, “these two hashtags are at the top.” He pointed out that Armenians around the world, despite differing opinions on various issues, are united in their efforts to protect Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

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“It’s the first time I can see a global community working together like this, and that for me is fantastic,” Ocampo said, adding that the campaign was already yielding results. He further encouraged the Armenian diaspora to continue leveraging their global connections to advocate for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh on the international stage.

Ocampo stressed that the ongoing campaign to free Armenian hostages has become a common platform that unites Armenians worldwide. He said that the issue of hostages is not just a national or local matter but one that resonates with Armenians globally. "The hostages are the common ground," he said, urging Armenians to stay focused on this shared goal and make the most of the momentum generated by the campaign.

Ocampo also shared that he had traveled to the southern regions of Armenia, including areas near the Azerbaijan border, where he witnessed the difficult conditions faced by the local population. He also met with former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh and expressed his deep concern over the situation there.

Although Ocampo made it clear that he was not involved in any local political discussions, he reaffirmed that the international movement to protect Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, and to free the hostages, is a unifying cause that transcends borders. "We have two more months to work on this," he said, referring to the lead-up to COP29, “and we’re taking advantage of that.”

Ocampo also mentioned that his efforts have gained the attention of high-level international figures. He noted that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has raised concerns about the hostages with the Azerbaijani government, signaling that international pressure may help secure the release of Armenian prisoners.

The former ICC prosecutor believes the diaspora plays a critical role in amplifying these international efforts. "We really need to put together the energy,” Ocampo urged, stressing the importance of coordinated global action rather than division or inaction. He encouraged members of the Armenian diaspora to wake up every day and participate in the social media campaign, saying, “In the morning, you wake up, COP29, stop genocide, free Armenian hostages.”

When asked specifically what more the Armenian diaspora could do, Ocampo suggested that, at the very least, they could continue supporting the ongoing social media campaigns by spreading awareness about the situation in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. "Join the campaign,” Ocampo said, encouraging the diaspora to stay vocal on social media platforms.

He stressed that it is important not to attack others but to focus on the collective goal of advocating for Armenia’s security and the release of Armenian hostages. Ocampo believes that by harnessing the power of social media, and uniting under a common cause, the diaspora can significantly influence international discussions at COP29 and beyond.