"5 Days to COP29: Just the Beginning of Our Fight to Protect Armenia"  - Moreno Ocampo

ArmInfo. "Since July 23, 2024, over 5,200 Armenians and international allies across 108 countries have shown unwavering resilience, creativity, and commitment to protecting Armenians and Armenia by posting daily demands for release of Armenian hostages detained in Baku.

Tens of thousands of posts and hundreds of thousands of comments have flooded  social media, amplifying this vital. call. Armenians, you led the  global movement for a just COP29 where climate issues and human  rights issues are interconnected and are not to be overshadowed,  reads a statement by Luis Moreno Ocampo, the First Prosecutor of the  International Criminal Court (ICC). 

Alongside grassroots efforts, organizations like ANCA launched their  own campaigns, and the President of AGBU issued a powerful statement  in support. U.S. Senators, as well as members of European, German,  and French parliaments, have publicly demanded the release of  Armenian hostages and political prisoners worldwide published  extensively on human rights violations and widespread corruption. of  COP 29 host - Azerbaijan. Greta Thunberg has added her voice to this  global movement. 

The Armenian Apostolic Church and the World Council of Churches have  echoed our demands, calling on member churches worldwide to hold a  coordinated prayer service on Sunday, November 10-just before COP29  opening. Ministers and ambassadors from major capitals like  Washington, New York, London, Brussels, and all major European  capitals have been invited to attend. On November 10th, by gathering  at your local churches, you show your strength and unity in faith,  standing in solidarity with thousands of Armenians in Armenia and  around the world in the fight against the unlawful detentionof  hostages and political prisoners. 

It is alarming that, despite over a century of history, little has  changed. The first step toward the 1915 Armenian Genocide began with  the imprisonment and extermination of the Armenian elite, while  global powers like Germany and the United States turned a blind eye. 

Next week, political and business leaders will convene in Baku to  discuss climate change, just a few kilometers from the prisons where  23 Armenian hostages remain incarcerated. We will be closely  monitoring how these leaders address the ongoing international crimes  against the people of Nagorno- Karabakh. A detailed report will be  released at the conclusion of the event. 

While there are ongoing discussions about the potential release of  the hostages, Azerbaijan continues attack against our defense  campaign, spending millions on media manipulation, bots, and  disinformation. This only confirms the effectiveness and impact of  our advocacy. 

We will continue to evaluate the situation, assess our next steps,  and remain resolute in our commitment to protect the rights and lives  of Armenians. This is not just a fight for justice-it is a fight for  civilization."