Luis Moreno Ocampo Urges Armenians to Lead a Global Call for Peace at COP29

Luis Moreno Ocampo, a prominent human rights activist and the first Prosecutor General of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has issued a powerful appeal to Armenians across the globe. In his second open letter, delivered on Wednesday, Ocampo emphasized the urgent need for Armenians to unite in response to ongoing geopolitical challenges and human rights violations linked to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan’s upcoming role in hosting COP29, the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

In his letter, Ocampo laid out three critical issues facing Armenia. First, the country remains vulnerable as it negotiates a peace treaty with its long-time adversary, Azerbaijan. Second, there is still no clear plan for how the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, who Ocampo describes as victims of the 2023 genocide, will be able to return to their homeland safely. Lastly, 23 Armenian hostages remain imprisoned in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, with no immediate prospect of release.

“These problems are interrelated,” Ocampo wrote, emphasizing that peace in the region is far from secure and that these unresolved issues could undermine stability not just in Armenia but in the broader South Caucasus region.

The looming COP29 conference, set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan in November 2024, is a central concern for Ocampo. While the event is promoted as a “COP for peace,” Ocampo warned that it could serve as a platform for Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev, to further his political ambitions. He fears that if the international community fails to address the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and the Armenian hostages during the conference, it will provide Aliyev with an opportunity to escalate his plans of occupying Armenia.

Ocampo described this potential scenario as dangerous, not only for Armenia but also for the global community. “Such a scenario will not only deny the Nagorno-Karabakh genocide and condemn the hostages to remain in jail for many years, but it will also relegate the entire community to a forgotten relic of the past,” Ocampo stated. He further warned that the neglect of these human rights concerns could increase the risk to Armenia's sovereignty and security.

Despite these challenges, Ocampo emphasized on the growing global awareness and activism surrounding these issues. Over the past month, thousands of individuals, many with Armenian heritage, from more than 30 countries have come together through digital platforms and social media to voice their concerns. Protests have been held in major cities, including Yerevan and Toronto, demanding the release of the Armenian hostages held in Baku.

This grassroots movement, according to Ocampo, has the potential to make a significant impact if it is expanded and connected to decision-makers worldwide. He pointed out that Azerbaijan's actions are not just a threat to Armenians but to a broader range of groups, including Azerbaijani citizens, environmental activists, and even European parliamentarians.

Ocampo accused Azerbaijan of greenwashing – using its fossil fuel wealth to appear as a leader in climate change efforts, while simultaneously repressing its own citizens and silencing dissent. He noted that Azerbaijan recently banned 76 European parliamentarians from entering the country after they exposed corruption within the Azerbaijani regime. “Azerbaijan, a country enriched by fossil fuels, poses as a leader in climate change, diverting global efforts,” he said. Ocampo also shared how young people, including teenagers he met in Buenos Aires, are eager to raise awareness about these issues through platforms like TikTok, aiming to reach their peers around the world.

Ocampo’s letter ends with a clear call to action. He urged Armenians and their allies to demand that the delegates attending COP29 in Baku not remain silent on these critical issues. Ocampo outlined several key points that need to be addressed at the conference:

Azerbaijan’s greenwashing, the Nagorno-Karabakh genocide, political corruption involving both Europe and the United States, and the release of Armenian hostages and political prisoners.

For Ocampo, COP29 should not be merely a conference focused on climate change but also a moment for the international community to address deeper political and human rights concerns. He believes that Armenians can lead this charge, using their platform to protect Armenia and promote peace on a global scale.

“Armenians, let’s protect Armenia and lead the world to a truly peaceful COP29,” Ocampo concluded, rallying Armenians to take on a leadership role in advocating for justice and peace.