Khankendi: Sabina Aliyeva, Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan, issued a statement to international organizations on the occasion of the anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. The statement was delivered at an event held at Garabagh University in Khankendi dedicated to commemorating the Khojaly genocide.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the statement highlights that thirty-four years have passed since 26 February 1992, when 613 peaceful and unarmed civilians, including 106 women, 63 children, and 70 elderly people, were intentionally murdered in Khojaly city due to their ethnic identity. The killings were carried out by the armed forces of Armenia, with the participation of the former USSR-backed 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment, as part of a systematic policy of genocide against Azerbaijanis.
The aftermath of the Khojaly genocide saw the complete destruction of eight families, with 130 children losing one parent and 25 children losing both. Additionally, 1,275 civilians, including 68 women and 26 children, were taken captive, facing severe war crimes. These acts were intended to forcibly expel ethnic Azerbaijanis from their lands and instill fear among the population.
The Khojaly genocide is described as a gross violation of international human rights and humanitarian law, infringing upon conventions such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. As a result, fundamental human rights, including the rights to life and personal security, were severely violated.
The Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, initiated by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, first assessed the Khojaly genocide politically and legally, declaring 26 February as the Day of Commemoration of the Khojaly Genocide. The 'Justice for Khojaly' campaign, led by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, aims to inform the global community and secure legal recognition for this atrocity.
Post-conflict reconstruction efforts are underway in liberated territories, including Khojaly city. During these efforts, mass graves have been discovered, providing evidence of the genocide. Individuals involved in the Khojaly genocide and other crimes have been apprehended and are facing trials under international and national legal frameworks.
The Azerbaijani Ombudsman concluded by honoring the memory of the victims and urging international bodies to legally recognize the Khojaly genocide and hold those responsible accountable.