Azerbaijan rebukes British lawmakers over "harmful" peace proposal

Azerbaijan has formally protested recent remarks made by two British parliamentarians in support of the Swiss Peace Initiative, issuing a strongly worded letter to UK MPs Jim Shannon and Lord Alton.

The letter was sent by Fariz Ismayilzada, Head of the Azerbaijan–UK Inter-Parliamentary Working Group, in response to the MPs’ public appeal on June 18, 2025, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The document underscores Baku’s position that while Azerbaijan welcomes international engagement in promoting peace and stability in the South Caucasus, any such efforts must be rooted in respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law.

“We appreciate the international community's interest in ensuring peace and stability in our region. However, statements and initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable peace should be based on facts, international law, principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the letter reads.

“In connection with your appeal in support of the so-called ‘Swiss Peace Initiative’ on ‘Nagorno-Karabakh’ (we remind you that there is no administrative unit under this name in Azerbaijan), we consider it necessary to bring you objective information.”

The letter details the longstanding impact of the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories, which resulted in the displacement of nearly one million Azerbaijanis. It recounts serious human rights violations during the occupation, including the Khojaly massacre, the destruction of towns and villages, widespread environmental damage, and the erasure of Azerbaijani cultural and religious heritage.

It further criticizes the international community’s historical silence on the plight of Azerbaijani internally displaced persons (IDPs), and highlights the issue of landmine contamination in the formerly occupied territories. Azerbaijan, the letter notes, is now among the most heavily mined countries in the world, with landmines continuing to cause civilian casualties and impede reconstruction and resettlement.

The letter also raises the unresolved issue of approximately 4,000 missing Azerbaijanis, stating that Armenia has yet to provide information about the location of mass graves believed to contain the remains of women and children.

In addressing concerns related to the Armenian population in the region, the letter asserts that Azerbaijan's actions have remained in line with international norms: “Azerbaijan is a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional country with a tradition of peaceful coexistence. After regaining control over its territories, no Armenians were forcibly expelled – they left the region voluntarily under the influence of Armenian propaganda.”

It notes that, in contrast, during the occupation period, Armenians who had no legal right under international law were settled in the region. More than 200 Armenians have since been released as part of humanitarian gestures, while others are being prosecuted for alleged war crimes, terrorism, and enforced disappearances – all under transparent legal proceedings, according to Azerbaijani officials.

The letter criticises Armenia’s internal political landscape, stating that Armenian leaders have “incited ethnic hatred, justified ethnic cleansing, and have not been held accountable.” It warns that peace remains elusive due to Armenia’s constitutional provisions, which continue to assert territorial claims against Azerbaijan.

“Negotiations on the peace agreement have actually been finalised, but the signing of the document is hindered by the need to amend the Armenian Constitution,” the letter reads. “Sustainable peace is possible only if Armenia – both the authorities and society – renounce these claims.”

The Azerbaijani side rejects the Swiss Peace Initiative as “not only useless, but also harmful” to the fragile normalization process between Baku and Yerevan. It argues that the involvement of external political actors with “limited understanding of the regional context” may derail diplomatic progress.

The letter concludes by expressing gratitude to the UK Government for its consistent support of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and calls on British MPs, particularly members of the cross-party group of parliamentarians on religious freedom, to show restraint and responsibility in public commentary related to the peace process.

“Azerbaijan continues to advocate dialogue based on mutual respect, justice and international law, despite the growing instability in the region and the world,” the letter affirms.

By Vafa Guliyeva