BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 20. The Azerbaijan
National NGO Forum has sent an open letter to Thomas Stähli, Swiss
Ambassador to Azerbaijan.


Trend presents the
letter:


“As institutions of Azerbaijan’s civil society, we are observing
systematic attempts to shape an anti-Azerbaijan narrative within
the Swiss Confederation. The narratives advanced under the title of
a so-called ‘Peace Forum’ in the Swiss Parliament serve to fuel
revanchism in Armenia and undermine the peace process between
Azerbaijan and Armenia. The slander campaign built on hostility
toward Azerbaijan is aimed at damaging peace and
confidence-building efforts in the region and at re-promoting
separatism.


Provocative activities against Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and
territorial integrity, as well as the use of rhetoric and
terminology consigned to the archives of history, are increasingly
becoming commonplace in the Swiss Confederation. It is
incomprehensible that certain Swiss parliamentarians frequently
state that the Karabakh issue is not ‘closed,’ and that individuals
such as Erich Vontobel have held meetings in Yerevan with
representatives of revanchist circles. The Christian Solidarity
International, headquartered in Switzerland, is attempting to frame
the Karabakh issue in a religious context and is spreading slander
against Azerbaijan.


We have previously addressed you, stating that when such
initiatives are put forward, adopted, or promoted – particularly
within the parliament of a country like Switzerland, which claims
to respect international law, or by a church that is part of Swiss
society, or when they are held on Swiss territory – they become a
clear example of double standards and contradict the principles of
objectivity and neutrality. In the 21st century, it is unacceptable
to approach issues in the heart of Europe through the prism of
ethnic or religious bias. It is especially unacceptable for actors
outside the region to adopt a one-sided, prejudiced, and racist
approach. We once again strongly condemn such unwarranted
interference and regard it as a blow to the normalization process
between Azerbaijan and Armenia.


Instead of clarifying the fate of nearly 4,000 missing
Azerbaijanis, Switzerland’s International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) has taken steps against our country’s sovereignty and
territorial integrity, including previously opening an unauthorized
office in Khankendi. Although the ICRC claims to be a humanitarian
organization, it has in fact engaged in unacceptable political
activity. What is the source of these instructions that contradict
the ICRC’s mandate?


We have not forgotten that the ICRC abused Azerbaijan’s trust
and engaged in smuggling under its emblem, using its cargo and
emergency medical vehicles. Gasoline, cigarettes, and boxes of
mobile phones were discovered in those vehicles. Why was illegal
trade and fraud on Azerbaijan’s sovereign territories tolerated
under the guise of ‘humanitarian aid’?


What was the purpose behind the Embassy of Switzerland in
Azerbaijan sheltering an individual named Emin Huseynov in its
administrative building for months and facilitating his departure
from the country, reportedly disguised in women’s clothing,
accompanied by a representative of the Swiss Federal Department of
Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter? What is the role of the Swiss
state today in Emin Huseynov’s smear campaign against
Azerbaijan?


We have many questions. In connection with the above, we, the
representatives of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, an umbrella
organization uniting hundreds of Azerbaijani NGOs, are ready to
meet with you.”