Pakistan’s human rights advocate faces scrutiny over links to Armenian separatist funder

An article by Pakistan's Diplomatic News Agency (DNA), which has been widely republished by leading Pakistani media outlets, has raised significant concerns regarding Syeda Ghulam Fatima, a Pakistani human rights activist, and her association with Ruben Vardanyan.

Vardanyan, who is currently on trial in Baku for charges of supporting terrorism and separatism, has reportedly received support from Fatima, further complicating her purported humanitarian credentials, the article says, according to Caliber.Az.

Fatima has made a public announcement expressing her intent to travel to Baku and participate in Vardanyan’s trial. However, the connection between Fatima and the oligarch has prompted questions regarding her true motives. The article claims that her interest in the trial may be part of a broader network linked to anti-Azerbaijani activities, including terrorism, money laundering, and human rights violations.

The DNA article suggests that Fatima’s involvement with Vardanyan is not an isolated case. According to reports, in 2016, Fatima received $100,000 from Vardanyan under the guise of the so-called Aurora Prize. This donation, the article contends, raises doubts about the nature of her activism, casting shadows over her claim to support human rights.

The article goes on to highlight the ongoing human rights violations committed by Armenia against Azerbaijanis, particularly during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and the forced displacement of thousands of Azerbaijanis from Western Azerbaijan (modern-day Armenia).

Despite the numerous atrocities, including the destruction of cultural heritage sites and the Khojaly Genocide, which resulted in the massacre of hundreds of Azerbaijani civilians in 1992, Fatima’s silence on these issues is troubling. The DNA report suggests that instead of condemning such crimes, Fatima has aligned herself with individuals like Vardanyan, whose financial operations have supported separatist regimes and contributed to ethnic cleansing.

The article further criticizes Fatima for her apparent indifference to Armenian militant organizations, such as ASALA, which have carried out bombings and assassinations targeting Azerbaijani civilians and officials. Vardanyan has reportedly been linked to networks that provided both direct and indirect support to such militant operations. Given her financial ties to individuals involved in these activities, the DNA report raises ethical concerns about Fatima’s true motivations.

Additionally, the report notes the ongoing human rights crisis resulting from Armenia’s use of landmines during its occupation of Azerbaijani territories. These landmines continue to kill and maim civilians, preventing the safe return of internally displaced Azerbaijanis to their ancestral lands. Despite this, Fatima has not publicly condemned this form of landmine terrorism, raising further questions about her selective activism.

The article concludes by highlighting Fatima’s involvement in the Aurora Prize network, which allegedly has connections to money laundering activities benefiting Armenian separatists and terrorists. Her silence on key human rights issues and her active participation in platforms that glorify individuals like Vardanyan only reinforce suspicions that Fatima’s activism may be politically motivated rather than driven by genuine concern for human rights.

As the trial of Ruben Vardanyan continues in Baku, the diplomatic community and human rights advocates are watching closely. The article emphasizes the need to expose individuals who manipulate human rights discourse to protect criminals and advance biased narratives, particularly as Azerbaijan seeks justice for the victims of Armenian aggression.

By Vafa Guliyeva