Azerbaijani NGOs accuse Lemkin Institute of undermining South Caucasus peace efforts

The National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan, an umbrella body bringing together hundreds of civil society organisations, has issued an open letter condemning the US-based Lemkin Institute over its appeal for the release of individuals of Armenian origin, including Ruben Vardanyan, who are accused of committing war crimes.

As reported by Caliber.Az, in the open letter, the forum characterises the Lemkin Institute’s call as a provocative action and claims it is aimed at harming the peace mission in the South Caucasus associated with US President Donald Trump. 

"Lemkin Institute’s biased positions undermine President Donald J.Trump’s peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia, advanced through the Joint Declaration signed on August 8, 2025, in Washington, threatening the normalisation process and emerging economic cooperation between the two South Caucasus countries," it reads.

The document further states that the Lemkin Institute, which it says is led by figures such as Lyusi Mirzoyan, promotes ethnic and religious division. The forum says that the institute represents the interests of revanchist groups in Armenia and seeks to derail the peace process between the two countries.

Describing the letter as exposé in nature, the National NGO Forum draws attention to criticism directed at the Lemkin Institute over its use of the name of Raphael Lemkin. It notes that members of Lemkin’s own family have previously voiced objections, accusing the institute of misusing his name. 

"Importantly, concerns about the Lemkin Institute’s biased approach are not raised by Lemkin’s family or Azerbaijani civil society alone. Criticism has even come from Armenian academic and analytical circles, including leadership figures of institutions such as the Zoryan Institute, who have publicly questioned the Lemkin Institute’s unbalanced and unjustified positions. When criticism crosses national and political lines, it deserves serious consideration," the forum noted in a letter.

It further argues that the institute’s demand for the release of individuals accused of war crimes, while ignoring atrocities such as the Khojaly Genocide, contradicts the organisation’s stated mission.

"Azerbaijan’s history includes deep tragedy. The Khojaly Genocide and other massacres committed by Armenia over 30 years led to societal trauma. Yet today, Azerbaijani civil society focuses not on spreading hatred, but on peace, reconstruction, and reconciliation in the South Caucasus. Conversely, the Lemkin Institute’s statements reflect an unsubstantiated and anti-Azerbaijan bias that fails to reflect the truth and risks undermining peace and reconciliation efforts," the letter reads.

In conclusion, the National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan calls on the Lemkin Institute to act responsibly and to issue a formal apology to the Azerbaijani public. The letter notes that, as of now, the Lemkin Institute has not responded to the allegations raised.

By Tamilla Hasanova