Shusha: On July 6, the international conference titled "Cultural and Ethnic Diversity: Lessons from History, Modern Challenges" was held at the Karabakh Hotel in Shusha, organized by the Public Union Center for Cultural and Ethnic Diversity in partnership with the Public Union Silk Road Cultural and Historical Research, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, a joint declaration was adopted at the conclusion of the conference. The event, which brought together civil society representatives and researchers from various countries, emphasized the importance of recognizing cultural and ethnic diversity, tolerance, and multiculturalism as national assets. The declaration underscored that no individual should face humiliation, discrimination, or persecution based on their ethnic or religious identity.

The declaration highlighted that international frameworks like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide should be effectively utilized to protect the rights of peoples who have been displaced, experienced mass killings, or face threats to their cultural heritage. The participants called for an end to modern forms of colonialism and actions that lead to tragedy and suffering.

A critical focus of the declaration was the forced deployment of ethnic minorities in Russia to the front lines in Ukraine through coercion and persecution. The document urged Russia to learn from history, acknowledge past genocides, and cease glorifying those responsible for such atrocities. It also called for the cessation of chauvinism, xenophobic rhetoric, and attacks on non-Russians.

The declaration praised Azerbaijan's efforts in preserving ethnic and cultural diversity and fostering interfaith and intercultural dialogue. It noted Azerbaijan's Victory in Shusha as a symbol of the restoration of historical justice, which serves as an inspiration for colonized peoples worldwide.