Greta Thunberg’s Presence in Yerevan Pressures Azerbaijan on Armenian POW Rights, Says Siranush Sahakyan

A very important conference was held in Yerevan today on "Azerbaijan's aggression against human rights and environmental protection". Greta Thunberg, the well-known Swedish environmental activist, attended a conference on Thursday, where experts and human rights defenders discussed Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenians and its environmental and humanitarian impact. The event, held at the American University of Armenia, brought together Thunberg and notable voices including Siranush Sahakyan, an attorney representing Armenian prisoners of war (POWs); Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh; and Ara Ghazaryan, an international human rights lawyer.

The conference was organized in response to the United Nations’ decision to appoint Azerbaijan as the host for the upcoming COP29 climate summit. The decision has been met with criticism from activists and human rights advocates, who argue that Azerbaijan’s track record on human rights is incompatible with hosting such a significant global event. Many at the event argued that Azerbaijan’s policies demonstrate not only hostility toward Armenians but also disregard for environmental and human rights standards.

The Armenian Report’s Ani Khachatryan spoke with Sahakyan, President of the International and Comparative Law Center and a practicing attorney for Armenian POWs, who expressed concern over the international community’s slow response to Azerbaijan’s aggression and its handling of Armenian prisoners. “We were expecting the release of Armenian prisoners of war, yet progress has been minimal,” Sahakyan said, highlighting the need for ongoing pressure on Azerbaijan. 

She pointed out that while political agreements may be in place, true peace cannot be achieved without resolving fundamental human rights issues. Sahakyan emphasized that international pressure is essential in order to drive meaningful change in Azerbaijan’s treatment of Armenians. “The only way to modify the conduct of public authorities in Azerbaijan is by pressuring them to the point of change,” Sahakyan said, calling for increased international action.

Sahakyan further noted that the lack of global awareness about the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict contributes to inaction. “Not all societies are informed about Armenia and Azerbaijan’s relations,” she said, suggesting that the lack of information, rather than reluctance, is often the reason for international silence. 

The presence of Greta Thunberg at the event, Sahakyan noted, plays an important role in raising awareness. “Her presence is crucial to show that there are people who rely on values and fight for those values. By bringing attention to these issues, she helps to make people aware of the problem,” Sahakyan explained. Thunberg’s role, she argued, is vital in spreading awareness about the situation and advocating for the release of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan.

During the conference, Thunberg expressed similar sentiments, speaking about the global community’s tendency to ignore issues that don’t directly affect them and the lack of awareness surrounding Azerbaijan’s actions. She urged international leaders and organizations to increase their focus on human rights as they prepare for COP29 in Azerbaijan.