Oslo discussed fate of Armenian hostages held in Baku.

The annual Freedom Forum (OFF) was held in the Norwegian capital in May. This prestigious international platform annually brings together activists, journalists and dissidents from all over the world. The forum gathered 1,400 members this year.

Jonathan Spangenberg, Chairman of the Central Council of Armenians of Germany, delivered a report on at least 23 political prisoners in Baku at the Freedom Forum. In his article for The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, he noted that his activism intensified after Azerbaijan hosted the UN Climate Conference COP29.

“The decision to provide such a platform to the regime responsible for the Armenian genocide in Artsakh, carried out in the form of a nine–month blockade, military aggression and mass resettlement, was not only controversial, but also deeply disturbed me,” writes Spangenberg

The author of the article admits that part of the Armenian Diaspora is skeptical of activists who talk about the release of political prisoners. Many doubt that international pressure can bear fruit, especially when the Armenian government is inactive. But, according to Spangenberg, silence guarantees impunity: “History shows that constant pressure, moral clarity and international solidarity really matter.”

The activist noted that he had addressed the German Chancellor and President, the Bundestag and the German Foreign Ministry. But in order to increase international pressure, it is necessary to go beyond the institutional channels.

“We need to mobilize conscious people around the world who see this not as an isolated ethnic conflict, but as a deep human rights crisis,” Spangenberg said.

To the surprise of the activist, the participants of the Oslo forum were well aware of the situation in Artsakh. Part of the discussion was devoted to universal ways to combat tyranny, in particular the Azerbaijani one.