U.N. should demand from Azerbaijan release of all Armenian prisoners  before COP29 summit - Express

ArmInfo.On September 19 last year, Ruben Vardanyan, a successful businessman, international  philanthropist and proud Armenian was captured and illegally imprisoned by the Azerbaijani army. 

Since then he, alongside 22 other Armenians, has been illegally held  hostage by the Azerbaijani authorities; refused a proper trial and  access to independent international legal advice, or any visitors;  denied proper food or medical treatment; and, as we found out  recently; dreadfully mistreated.

The 23 that are being held captive by the Government of Azerbaijan  include seven other political leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, alongside  innocent civilians.

We should not be surprised; Azerbaijan is a country that has scant  regard for human rights and international law. The country is scored  a pitiful 7 out of 100 by Freedom House, which tracks democracy and  freedom across countries. 

Since 2003 when Ilham Aliyev took over the presidency from his  father, corruption has become even more rampant, civil liberties have  been destroyed and the political opposition squashed, leaving no room  for independent expression or activism. 

Journalists face harassment, blackmail and bribery attempts. If they  resist, they are thrown into prison.  Those that leave face their  families being persecuted.

Ruben was captured when the Azerbaijani army was sent into  Nagorno-Karabakh, which is a disputed region between Azerbaijan and  Armenia, where he was trying to protect the local Armenian population  from the coming violence. After a ten month long absolute siege which  denied local people food, fuel and basic medical supplies, Azerbaijan  forced more than 100,000 Armenians to leave their homes and  possessions and flee for safety. Many have called it a genocide. 

Ruben is a skilled and committed business leader. He has devoted  himself to a wide range of philanthropic causes, including schools,  colleges and the Aurora Prize, which recognises individuals for their  extraordinary humanitarian work around the world (and for which I sit  on the Board).

Now the international community has an opportunity to respond to his  illegal detainment, and that of the other illegally held Armenian  prisoners. Barely a year after their naked aggression, in November  Azerbaijan is due to host the COP29 United Nations Summit on climate  change in its capital, Baku. These are the biggest international  climate talks of the year.

That Baku was ever chosen as the host city is highly contentious.  Almost half of its GDP, and 90% of its export revenue, comes from oil  and gas production. The country's President has no serious interest  in tackling climate change or reducing emissions. Indeed, earlier  this year President Aliyev said he wanted to increase gas production  by a third over the next decade, and has made clear that hosting  COP29 will not them from investing in the gas 'provided by God'.

Government representatives have claimed that they want this to be the  "COP of Peace". This is despite having invaded a neighbouring country  less than a year ago, and having not yet secured a fair peace deal,  nor showing any real intention towards doing so. They continue to  hold the political prisoners, and are failing to improve human  rights. Just a few days ago [4 July] Amnesty International called on  the United Nations to make sure the Azerbaijani authorities uphold  the international rights to freedom of expression and peaceful  assembly for all those attending COP. 

Members of the European Parliament have outright called for a  boycott. An increasing number of governments around the world are  expressing their anger at Azerbaijan's behaviour. I sincerely hope  that David Lammy, Britain's new Foreign Secretary, will add his voice  to this rising chorus, given his avowed commitment to human rights.  The United Nations should demand from Azerbaijan a release all  Armenian prisoners before the COP29 summit, as well as launch a  review into how future host countries are selected.