Swiss lawmakers challenge government over failure to launch Artsakh Peace Forum

BERN— Eighteen Swiss parliamentarians have challenged President Guy Parmelin over his government’s failure to implement a parliamentary mandate establishing an international peace forum to negotiate the safe return of displaced Armenians to Artsakh.

In an October 5 letter, lawmakers Erich Vontobel and Stefan Müller-Altermatt, joined by 16 colleagues, expressed serious concern over the Federal Council’s continued inaction, seven months after the deadline for implementing the initiative expired.

Approved by both chambers of Switzerland’s parliament in March 2025, Motion 24.4259 instructed the government to organize internationally supervised negotiations between Azerbaijan and representatives of Artsakh’s Armenian population.

The Federal Council has defended its failure to act by citing opposition from the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, the lawmakers emphasized that the mandate concerns dialogue with Artsakh’s representatives, not negotiations between Yerevan and Baku.

They also questioned why Swiss authorities had not even contacted the elected representatives of the displaced population to explore possible diplomatic engagement.

Although acknowledging that Switzerland cannot compel Azerbaijan to participate, the signatories insisted that Bern could initiate consultations, offer mediation and seek international partners without waiting for Baku’s approval.

The lawmakers further warned that disregarding a parliamentary mandate without formally seeking its withdrawal undermines Switzerland’s democratic procedures.

The dispute comes three years after Azerbaijan’s September 2023 military offensive forced more than 100,000 Armenians to flee Artsakh. In November 2023, the International Court of Justice ordered Azerbaijan to ensure that those wishing to return could do so safely and without obstruction.

The parliamentarians warned that allowing the displacement to remain without meaningful political consequences would send a dangerous signal that territorial gains achieved through military force could ultimately be accepted.