British MPs Jim Shannon and Lord Alton of Liverpool have issued a statement on behalf of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, expressing their support for Switzerland’s peace initiative concerning Nagorno-Karabakh. The statement was made on behalf of more than 110 UK parliamentarians, according to the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau’s Armenian National Committee.

The MPs welcomed the Swiss initiative to create an international peace platform aimed at enabling constructive dialogue between Azerbaijan and the forcibly displaced Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The declaration emphasized the need to restore the right of return for Armenian refugees, protect fundamental human rights—including religious freedom as stated in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—and preserve Armenian cultural and spiritual heritage.

“Restoring the security, dignity, and stability of all communities in Nagorno-Karabakh is crucial not only from a humanitarian standpoint but also due to the region’s growing geopolitical and economic significance,” the statement reads.

The Swiss peace initiative was officially adopted this year by Switzerland’s Federal Parliament, mandating the Federal Council to convene an international peace conference within one year. The goal is to initiate negotiations—under international supervision or with the presence of global actors—on the secure and cohesive return of the region’s historical Armenian population.

To support implementation, an inter-party parliamentary committee comprising 19 Swiss MPs was established in Bern on May 26, 2025. This body is tasked with facilitating international mechanisms necessary for realizing the parliament’s legally binding resolution.