Baku: The Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan has reached out to leaders of foreign countries' inter-parliamentary relations working groups, chairmen of parliamentary international committees, and international parliamentary organizations, marking the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide. The Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis shared this development with APA.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the appeals underscore Azerbaijan's deep sorrow as the nation commemorates the Khojaly Genocide, a brutal massacre of civilians by Armenia during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories. This event, one of the gravest crimes against humanity in the 20th century, resulted in the deaths of 613 civilians, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly individuals, due to their ethnicity. Eight families were eradicated, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one parent. Victims were subjected to extreme cruelty, with corpses desecrated and some burned alive.
The appeals declare that the Khojaly Genocide represents a blatant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, as well as various international conventions, including the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Convention against Torture. The restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty, following the 44-day Patriotic War and subsequent local counter-terrorism measures, symbolizes national unity. Life has resumed in the liberated territories, including Khojaly, where residents now live peacefully while honoring the memory of genocide victims.
The appeals further highlight Azerbaijan's initiative, led by President Ilham Aliyev, to start and advance a peace process with Armenia. This culminated in the 'Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia' signed in Washington, D.C., USA, last year. Current peace efforts include lifting restrictions on cargo transportation to Armenia, facilitating oil product exports, and fostering dialogue between parliament members and civil society representatives.
Emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and inter-parliamentary dialogue, the appeals aim to raise awareness and achieve international recognition of the Khojaly Genocide, seeking justice for the perpetrators. The commemoration of this tragedy serves as both a remembrance of its victims and a call to prevent future crimes against humanity.