By PAUL POLMAN – FORMER VICE CHAIR OF THE UN GLOBAL COMPACT
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.
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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.
