Former ICC Prosecutor Ocampo Calls on Armenians Worldwide

Former International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo is urging Armenians around the world to unite and launch a media campaign against the upcoming 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) to be held in Baku this November. He expressed this in an open letter published on his X page.

Ocampo suggested using the hashtags #COP29 and #StopGreenwashGenocide, #FreeArmenianHostages, or #FreePoliticalPrisoners during the campaign. He stated, "By using these hashtags, daily posts on social media will gather momentum, engage other communities, and attract the attention of major media outlets. These coordinated efforts will compel journalists, delegates, and NGOs attending COP29 to seek answers from Azerbaijan regarding Armenian hostages and political prisoners."

He also expressed support for civil movements that challenge the conference. Ocampo believes that by rallying global public opinion, Armenians can ensure that issues of human rights protection and justice are addressed alongside climate change discussions at COP29.

It has been reported that the 29th UN Climate Change Conference is scheduled to take place in Baku this November. According to preliminary agreements, the conference was supposed to be hosted by Armenia. However, at the end of 2023, the administrations of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan issued a statement indicating that Yerevan had relinquished its bid to host the conference to Baku. Under the same agreement, Azerbaijan returned 32 Armenian prisoners of war to Armenia, while Armenia returned two Azerbaijani intruders, one of whom is accused of killing a guard at the Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine.