Switzerland starts peace initiative for returning the Karabach Armenians

Switzerland starts peace initiative for returning the Karabach Armenians

What is happening in the south coke? This question is currently not only concerned with politics and diplomacy, but also numerous people who have fled the region and want a return. There are currently aspirations in Switzerland to create a peace forum for the mountain carabach Armenians displaced by Azerbaijan. This was initiated by various Swiss parliamentarians, and the support for the initiative is growing, as presseportal.ch reported.

The National Councilor Erich Vontobel (Edu, ZH) has asked the federal government to take care of creating an international peace forum more actively. The goal: to promote an open dialogue between Azerbaijan and the People's representatives of the approximately 100,000 displaced Karabach Armenians. In this context, Vontobel warned that Switzerland, as a landfill state of the Geneva conventions, could not stand by. The Federal Council, on the other hand, is criticized by the Coalition Suisse Internationale (CSI) for its "discouraged signals" to implement the parliamentary orders.

Friedensforum: A ray of hope for the Rhineland?

The foundation of the "Swiss Peace Initiative for Bergkarabach" committee at the end of May 2025 by 19 members of the National and State Council was considered an important step to advance the return of the displaced population. The managing director of the CSI, Simon Brechbühl, emphasizes that the expulsion of the Christian Armenians is not only a humanitarian but also a matter of international law. The topic of return is a central concern not only for those affected by the conflict, but also for the entire international community.

The support for the Peace Forum can be over the political camp. For example, National Councilor Nicolas Walder (Greens, GE) supported the motion, which must be submitted on September 19, 2024, and referred to friendship with the Armenian population. In addition, the Federal President Viola Amherd emphasized the need to protect the rights of returnees in accordance with international law, which further underlines the urgent demands for active participation in Switzerland in the negotiations.

status quo and outlook

So far, Azerbaijan has missed a willingness to cooperate to return the Bergkarabach Armenians. Brechbühl warns of a possible escalation, should this be unnoticed. The expulsion of 120,000 Karabach Armenians in autumn 2023 is generally considered a serious violation of humanitarian international law. However, the majority of votes from the National Council show that the will is in Swiss politics to take responsibility and to use peace and dialogue.

The Caucasus conflict, whose roots are in the Soviet nationality policy and the arbitrary boundaries, shows the failure of international organizations to act in good time. This is precisely what makes the current initiative for the South Caucasus all the more important. If Switzerland creates a forum, this could be a first step towards a peaceful solution that takes into account the needs of the returnees. After all, political will and dialogue can make bridges that enable the return and peace. It remains to be seen how these developments are shaped.