BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 9. Representatives
of Azerbaijan’s civil society have addressed an open letter to Vice
President of the United States of America JD Vance.
Trend presents the
full text of the letter:
“Dear Mr. Vice President,
We write to you as representatives of a nation that has, for
centuries, served as a bridge between civilizations. This is a land
where the call to prayer and the ringing of church bells harmonize
in a spirit of true coexistence. Azerbaijan remains steadfast in
its commitment to the spiritual and traditional values that form
the bedrock of any stable society: the sanctity of the family, the
preservation of heritage, and the protection of religious
freedom.
In light of the current U.S. Administration’s firm commitment to
religious freedom and interfaith dialogue, we are proud to
highlight Azerbaijan’s enduring legacy as a model of interfaith
harmony and tolerance. Our nation’s relationship with the Christian
world is not merely diplomatic, but deeply cultural. Azerbaijan has
historically invested in the protection of diverse religious
heritage, including the extensive renovation of Christian churches
and sacred sites in Vatican. We take immense pride in our
blossoming ties with the Holy See and the growing presence of
diverse Christian denominations within our borders. From the
flourishing activities of the Catholic community to the recent
establishment of the “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”
in Baku, Azerbaijan continues to expand the space for faith to
thrive. Our commitment is further evidenced by the ongoing
construction of a second Catholic church in our capital which is a
testament to our belief that a society is strengthened by its
religious diversity.
However, the path to our current peace has been marked by
profound loss. We must remember the historical injustice faced by
Western Azerbaijanis who, since 1987, were forcibly uprooted from
their ancestral lands in Armenia.
Hundreds of villages were emptied, homes looted, and sacred
sites, including the historic Blue Mosque in Yerevan, were
desecrated or had their identities erased.
Despite decades of integration within Azerbaijan, the longing to
visit ancestral graves and restore ruined homes remains a peaceful,
humanitarian heartbeat within our people.
Western Azerbaijanis harbor no territorial ambitions. Their goal
is not to challenge sovereignty of Armenia, but to exercise the
fundamental human right to return to one's roots in peace and
dignity.
We stand at a historic crossroads. The Joint Declaration signed
on August 8, 2025, in Washington, serves as a beacon of hope. We
fully endorse the vision shared by President Ilham Aliyev and US
President Donald Trump to replace decades of discord with a future
defined by trade, security, and mutual respect.
Mr. Vice President,
We ask for your support in advocating for the right of return
and preservation of the cultural heritage of Azerbaijanis expelled
from the Republic of Armenia in early 90s.
Your support for the peaceful return of Western Azerbaijanis to
their historical homelands and restoration of destroyed religious
and cultural heritage sites of Azerbaijani people in Armenia can be
a significant step forward in the right direction.
Furthermore, we believe a truly comprehensive peace must address
the right of return for Azerbaijanis forcibly displaced from their
ancestral lands in Armenia. While the Western Azerbaijan Community
seeks a constructive dialogue regarding a peaceful return, these
efforts have yet to be reciprocated. Ultimately, a just and lasting
peace must include the reconciliation and safe return of these
individuals to their original homes.
Your leadership and moral clarity can ensure that the "Peace of
2025" becomes a permanent reality for every family in the
Caucasus.
With Respect and Sincerity,
The Representatives of Azerbaijani Civil
Society
1. Ramil Iskandarli – Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan
National NGO Forum
2. Oghuz Mammadov - Chairman of "Zangi - Study of Historical
Heritage" Public Union
3. Fuad Mammadov - Chairman of the "Simurg" Azerbaijan Cultural
Association
4. Khatira Valiyeva – Member of the Board of the Azerbaijan
National NGO Forum
5. Rizvan Nabiyev - Member of the Board of the “Legal Analysis
and Research” Public Union
6. Tanzila Rustamkhanli - Chairperson of the “Azeri-Turk Women’s
Union”
7. Novella Jafarova - Chairwoman of the Dilara Aliyeva
Azerbaijan Women's Rights Society
8. Saadat Bananyarli - Chairwoman of the "Azerbaijan National
Unit of the International Human Rights Society" Public Union
9. Saltanat Gojamanli - Chairwoman of the "Protection of Human
Rights and Legality" Public Union
10. Sevinc Alizade – Chairwoman of the “Victory” Support to
Families of Martyrs Public Union
11. Amir Aliyev – Chairman of the “Center for the Promotion of
Human Rights” Public Union
12. Alimammad Nuriyev – Head of the “Constitution” Research
Fund
13. Zaur Mammadov - Chairman of the Baku Club of Political
Scientists
14. Rey Gasimov - Chairman of the “Association of Landmine
Victims in Azerbaijan” Public Union
15. Hafiz Safikhanov - Chairman of the “Azerbaijan Campaign
Against Landmines” Public Union
16. Zaur Ibrahimli - Chairman of the "Priority" Social Economic
Research Center Public Union
17. Khatai Alasgarov - "Dada Alasgar Home" Public Union
18. Konul Behbudova – Chairwoman of the “Karabakh Missing
Families” Public Union
19. Ayaz Mirzayev – Chairman of the “Azerbaijani Journalists
Network” Public Union
20. Dilgam Ahmad – Chairman of the “Chapar – Center for the
Study of National Heritage” Public Union
21. Haji Abdulla – Chairman of the “Zangezur” Societies Public
Union
22. Fariz Khalilli – Chairman of the "Miras" Public Association
for the Promotion of Cultural Heritage
23. Umud Rahimoghlu - Chairman of the International Eurasia
Press Fund
24. Mubariz Asgarov - Chairman of the "Objective" Public Union
for the Promotion of National Values
25. Shahla Naghiyeva - Chairwoman of the “Sonmez Mashal”
Cultural Relations Public Union
26. Tunzala Abdullalimova – Chairwoman of the “For the
Motherland - Support to Families of Martyrs” Public Union
27. Jeyran Hasanova – Chairwoman of the “Support to Mothers of
Martyrs” Public Union
28. Aqil Jamal – Chairman of the “Common Values” Public
Union
29. Vugar Gadirov - Chairman of the “Youth Organization for
Return and Revival” Public Union
30. Khalid Kazimov - Chairman of the Regional Human Rights and
Media Center Public Union
31. Ahmad Abbasbayli - Chairman of the “Center for Development
of Society” Public Union
32. Irada Rzazada - Chairperson of the Public Union “For Social
Well-being of Citizens”
33. Keramet Ismayılov – Chairman of the Public Union for
Economic and Social Development
34. Fikret Yusifov – President of the "Economics" International
Economic Research Public Union
35. Shalala Hasanova - Chairwoman of the “Support to the
Development of Public Relations” Public Union
36. Zarifa Guliyeva – Chairwoman of the Modern Development and
Family Public Union
37. Mahluga Rahimova – Chairwoman of "Disabled Women's Society"
Public Union
38. Vusala Huseynova – Chairwoman of the Reformist Women and
Innovations Public Union
39. Ilgar Huseynli – Chairman of the Social Strategic Studies
and Analytical Research Public Union
40. Varis Yolchiyev - Director of the Azerbaijan Literary
Fund
41. Samad Vakilov - Chairman of the "Muvakkil Law Center" Public
Union
42. Jasarat Huseynzade - Chairman of the Public Union to Support
Information and Social Initiatives
43. Elshad Eyvazov - Chairman of the Independent Journalists
Public Union
44. Farida Mirishova- Chairwoman of the "Iz" Culture Development
and Support Public Union
45. Lala Sardarli - "Support to the Protection and Promotion of
Applied Art" Public Union.”
