On May 6, a two-day conference titled “Protecting Civil Society: The Role of Human Rights Defenders and the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly” continued its work in Vienna, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Finnish OSCE Chairmanship.
The event brought together ambassadors, diplomats, and official representatives from 57 countries to discuss the protection of civil society within the OSCE region, the work of human rights defenders, the protection of freedom of peaceful assembly, and the current challenges in these areas.
Ahmad Shahidov, head of the Azerbaijan Institute for Democracy and Human Rights and a human rights defender, delivered a speech during the panel discussion. In his address, Shahidov highlighted increasing pressure on human rights defenders by India in South Asia, mass human rights violations in the Kashmir region, war crimes trials underway in Baku, and the growing nuclear threat in the region, warning that such escalation poses a direct risk to European and global security.
At the start of his remarks, Shahidov responded to a statement made by an Armenian colleague, stressing that human rights issues should not be politicized or manipulated. He stated that the Armenian nationals currently on trial in Baku are being prosecuted for committing war crimes and financing terrorism. Shahidov emphasized that he personally attended those court hearings, where Araik Harutyunyan, Ruben Vardanyan, and others made confessions confirming their crimes. He invited international colleagues to attend these trials and see the facts for themselves.
Further in his speech, Shahidov drew attention to the human rights abuses in Kashmir, documented by Amnesty International and UN reports. He noted India’s ongoing repression in the region, restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, and arrests of human rights defenders and journalists. He called on the international community to adopt a firmer and principled position on these issues.
In conclusion, Shahidov warned about the increasing nuclear threat in South Asia, emphasizing that any military escalation would endanger not only the region but also European and global security. He invited fellow panelists to share their views on the human rights situation in Kashmir and urged joint international action.
