BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. Participants of the
international conference titled "Right of Return and
Self-Determination: Double Standards and Selective Approaches,"
held at the U.S. Congress, have addressed an appeal to members of
Congress.
The appeal emphasizes the importance of the impartial,
consistent, and non-discriminatory application of the norms and
principles of international law.
The authors of the document, in particular, called for ensuring
the right of Western Azerbaijanis to a safe, voluntary, and
dignified return to their ancestral lands. The conference
participants expressed their expectation that the international
community would support the return of Western Azerbaijanis to their
homes, assist in restoring their property rights, and help protect
their cultural heritage. The appeal notes that the right to return
is one of the fundamental principles of international law and that
its implementation should be ensured without selective
approaches.
The document calls on members of the U.S. Congress to pay
serious attention to the challenges faced by Western Azerbaijanis
and to the facts presented regarding their views on the right to
return. Members of Congress were asked to organize hearings,
briefings, and consultations on the issue, encourage direct
dialogue with the relevant communities, and support the consistent
application of human rights principles.
The appeal also addresses issues related to the rights of the
Sikh community, as well as the right to self-determination of the
peoples of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.
Conference participants stressed the importance of ensuring these
communities' rights to preserve their religious, cultural, and
linguistic identities and to freely express their views regarding
their political and constitutional future.
In addition, the document calls for an impartial and
comprehensive investigation into allegations of discrimination,
pressure, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, and transnational
repression by the Indian government against members of the Sikh
community.
The conference participants urged that the issues raised in the
appeal be brought before the U.S. Congress for discussion and
called for stronger international support, particularly for
ensuring the right of Western Azerbaijanis to return. They stated
that they expect a response and support from members of Congress on
these matters.
