“Azerbaijan is not only engaging in greenwashing but is also now practicing peace-washing at COP29”։ Anna Melikyan. VIDEO

“There were very vivid and obvious indicators that Azerbaijan is not only engaging in greenwashing but is also engaging in peace-washing at COP 29, pretending to show that the so-called ‘liberated’ areas, where ethnic cleansing was carried out, will be used to generate green energy and protect the environment. Therefore, the violation of human rights through military aggression is directly related to the topics being brought forth at COP 29,” stated Anna Melikyan, Legal Expert at the NGO “Protection of Rights Without Borders,” during the panel discussion in Yerevan.

Speaking about human rights violations and war crimes during the 2020 Artsakh war, Ms Melikyan explained the need for a fact-finding mission, as it was clear that, despite some international media coverage, international advocacy groups were largely passive. They failed to adequately address the ongoing human rights violations, and their presence was minimal.

According to Ms Melikyan, in 2020 graphic videos surfaced documenting war crimes, where both civilians and prisoners of war were targeted by Azerbaijanis. These crimes were carried out openly and without shame, with the perpetrators showing no fear of accountability. “Moreover, they seemed proud of their actions. The mission was to terrorize the local population to force villagers to leave their homelands, ensuring they understood the grim fate that awaited them if they stayed. It was also meant to send a message to military personnel to ensure that they will not resist understanding what will happen to them if they become prisoners of war.”

In 2020, 80 civilians were reported dead, half of whom were killed as a result of direct threats and the intent to kill. Many of them were elderly, disabled, or had mental health issues. Furthermore, at least seven women were tortured to death. “Azerbaijani soldiers have conducted mass destruction for everyone, anywhere, at any time,” she concluded.

The panel discussion is being held within the framework of the “The Impact of Azerbaijan’s Aggression on Human Rights and Environmental Protection” conference, organized independently as a side event to COP29. The special guest is Ms. Greta Thunberg, an environmental activist, who has chosen to boycott COP29 in Baku and arrived in Armenia following recent protests outside Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia.