BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 26. The Azerbaijani
Parliament has reached out to international parliamentary
organizations, leaders of interparliamentary friendship groups, and
chairs of foreign affairs committees in observance of the 34th
anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, the parliament’s press service
told Trend.
The appeals emphasize that the Azerbaijani people commemorate
with deep sorrow the genocide committed during Armenia’s occupation
of Azerbaijani territories, describing the massacre in Khojaly as
one of the gravest crimes against humanity of the 20th century.
The letters state that 613 civilians were brutally killed during
the genocide, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly
people. Eight families were destroyed, 25 children lost both
parents, and 130 children lost one parent. It is stressed that the
victims were subjected to extreme cruelty.
The appeals emphasize that the Khojaly genocide represents a
severe breach of international humanitarian law and human rights
standards. It contravenes the Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, as
well as the International Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination.
The parliament also notes that the restoration of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and sovereignty as a result of the 2020
44-day Patriotic War and the 2023 local anti-terror measures
reflects national unity and solidarity. Life has returned to all
liberated territories, including Khojaly, and the memory of the
victims will be preserved.
It is further highlighted that under the leadership of President
Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan initiated and advanced the peace process
with Armenia, culminating in the initialing of the “Agreement on
Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations between the
Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia” in Washington
in August last year.
According to the statement, the emerging de facto peace
environment between the two countries is being strengthened through
confidence-building measures, including the lifting of restrictions
on cargo transportation to Armenia, ensuring the export of
petroleum products, and expanding dialogue between parliamentarians
and civil society representatives.
The appeals emphasize the importance of international
cooperation and interparliamentary dialogue in raising global
awareness of the Khojaly genocide, securing its international
recognition, and holding those responsible accountable, stressing
that remembrance is not only about honoring victims but also about
preventing such crimes against humanity in the future.
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