The Swiss National Council (the lower house of the parliament) adopted a resolution calling on the country's government to organize an international peace conference to discuss the safe and collective return of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, the resolution was adopted by 96 votes in favor, 80 against and 16 abstentions.
The purpose of the conference will be to "facilitate the dialogue between representatives of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians regarding the safe and collective return of the Armenian population under the supervision or presence of international actors."
The rationale states that since the last military attack of Azerbaijan in September 2023, Nagorno Karabakh has been deprived of its Armenian population. "Fearing a new genocide, such as was carried out against the Armenians in 1915, the population had to leave their homeland within a few days. Since then, there have been documented ethnic cleansings in the region. Armenian cultural heritage such as churches, monasteries and cemeteries are systematically destroyed or disfigured in the name of "renovation".
Despite these serious events, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh maintain their desire to return to their homeland under the security guarantees of the international community, to determine their own political future and to exercise democratic self-government.
On November 17, 2023, the International Court of Justice ruled that Azerbaijan is obliged to ensure the "safe, unhindered and speedy return" of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. On March 12, 2024, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on Azerbaijan to enter into a comprehensive and transparent dialogue. with the Armenians of Karabakh. The aim is to respect their rights, guarantee their safety and enable them to return to their homes under the conditions of an international presence.
The OSCE Minsk Group, which was previously responsible for mediation, is severely limited in its ability to act due to geopolitical tensions. This emphasizes the need for a new format of negotiations for the peaceful settlement of the conflict and the protection of the rights of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The rationale also states that the international peace conference to be organized by Switzerland can make a decisive contribution to the settlement of the conflict, ensure the return of displaced persons and thus contribute to the stabilization of the entire region.
"Switzerland has a unique opportunity to use its proven role as a neutral mediator to start a constructive dialogue between the parties to the conflict.
"Such a commitment will not only continue Switzerland's humanitarian tradition, but also strengthen its position as a reliable partner in international diplomacy," the statement said. In October 2024, the resolution was discussed and adopted by the Foreign Relations Committee of the Swiss National Council. The resolution will also be presented to the discussion of the upper house of the parliament.
