Walder and Vontobel will be joined by Artak Beglaryan, the former human rights ombudsman of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, and Dr. Paul Williams, a world-renowned peace negotiator. Two years ago, the armed forces of Azerbaijan attacked the self-declared Republic of Artsakh (or Nagorno Karabakh) after a nine-month siege. In March, however, the Swiss parliament mandated the Swiss Federal Council to hold a “peace forum” between Azerbaijan and the representatives of the people of Nagorno Karabakh within the next 12 months, in order to negotiate the collective and safe return of the Armenian population to their homeland. National Councillor Erich Vontobel introduced the Swiss Peace Initiative in parliament, and in July, took part in a delegation to Washington DC to promote the initiative. “Together, they will make a powerful case that, for a lasting peace to be achieved, the Nagorno Karabakh conflict must be resolved on the basis of human rights.”Interviews with the speakers can be arranged upon request.