Azerbaijani NGOs urge U.S.-Based Lemkin Institute to apologize
Baku, December 23, AZERTAC
The National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan – an umbrella organization representing hundreds of civil society institutions – has issued an open letter strongly condemning the U.S.-based Lemkin Institute for its call to release individuals of Armenian origin, including Ruben Vardanyan, who face accusations of war crimes.
The open letter describes the Lemkin Institute's appeal as an attempt to harm U.S. President Donald Trump's peace mission in the South Caucasus, labeling it provocative. It further states that the institute, led by figures such as Lucy Mirzoyan who are accused of promoting ethnic and religious division, represents the interests of revanchist groups in Armenia and seeks to undermine the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The open letter of an exposé nature specifically emphasizes that the Lemkin Institute – named after Raphael Lemkin himself – has faced explicit criticism even from Lemkin's own family for misusing his name. It also notes a lack of unanimous support within Armenia itself, with the Zoryan Institute having repeatedly challenged the Lemkin Institute's unsubstantiated positions.
The National NGO Forum argues that the institute's demand to free those accused of war crimes, while ignoring atrocities such as the Khojaly Genocide, represents a clear betrayal of its own stated mission.
The forum has called on the Lemkin Institute to behave responsibly and issue a formal apology to the Azerbaijani public.
As of now, the Lemkin Institute has not responded to the points raised in the open letter.
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