The Foreign Affairs Committee of Switzerland’s upper house has rejected a draft resolution titled “Annexation of Nagorno-Karabakh and Release of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners,” submitted by members of the Geneva cantonal parliament on November 5, 2024.
According to Panorama.am , the decision followed targeted and active lobbying efforts by the Azerbaijani Embassy in Switzerland.
A new initiative by Committee Vice-Chair Carlo Sommaruga, which focused solely on protecting the rights of prisoners held in Azerbaijan and safeguarding Armenian cultural heritage, was also removed from the agenda.
The Committee stated that “the provocative initiative by the Geneva Cantonal Parliament is one-sided and contains demands directed exclusively at Azerbaijan, which has drawn objections.”
In March 2025, Switzerland’s Council of States adopted a separate resolution (No. 24.4259), titled “Peace Forum for Nagorno-Karabakh: Ensuring Possibility of Return for Armenians.” The measure passed with 29 votes in favor and 12 against. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and several members tried to block the resolution, arguing it violated international law since Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians are not subjects of international law. Cassis stated that a peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan was imminent, making such an initiative unnecessary.
Supporters of the resolution disagreed, saying Switzerland had proven itself a neutral and effective mediator. They emphasized that facilitating dialogue between Azerbaijan and representatives of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh could support the safe and organized return of forcibly displaced persons.
