The call was made recently at the 30th anniversary of Khojaly Genocide in Addis Ababa.
The event brought together various personalities including those from the diplomatic community, human rights and law professionals, literature, humanity and other disciplines on the commemoration event held in Addis Ababa.
The Genocide which was committed between 25th and 26th February 1992, by the armed forces of Armenia during the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, claimed the lives of 613 people including 63 children, 106 women and 70 elderly citizens.
Speaking to participants of the event, Mr. Ruslan Nasibov, Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Azerbaijan said that the Genocide was one of the gravest crimes committed against the civilian population during the decades of Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan.
“From October 1991, the town was surrounded by the armed forces of Armenia. In the night of 25th February 1992, following massive artillery bombardment of Khojaly, the armed forces of Armenia with the help of the former USSR infantry guards regiment No.366 of which the Armenians constituted the majority, forcibly seized control of Khojaly. Invaders destroyed the city and, with particular brutality, brought violence to its peaceful population,” said Ruslan.
“… and the most tragic page of the First Karabakh War, was the destruction of the city of Khojaly and the Genocide perpetrated against its inhabitants. Before the conflict, Khojaly, located in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, was a home to over 7,000 people: men, women, children, families,” he added.
According to Ruslan; a total of 5,379 inhabitants of the city were also forcefully expelled; 1,275 were captured, taken hostage and tortured while 487 were injured.
“The fate of 150 of those captured, including 68 women and 26 children, remains unknown to this day. The actions of the armed forces of Armenia tore families apart. Eight families were wiped out. 130 children lost a parent, 25 children lost both parents,” said Ruslan.
Perpetrators of this indiscriminate killing of Azerbaijanis because of their identity, which was against all international conventions and laws, haven’t been held accountable although national legislative bodies of 17 countries, as well as 23 States of the USA, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Organization of Turkic States have adopted a number of resolutions and decisions condemning the killing of civilians in Khojaly.
Ruslan underscored the commitment of the Republic of Azerbaijan to continuously take measures at the national level, as well as within the framework of existing international law.
He also believes the international community, in general, and people and governments of Africa will support Azerbaijan as it strives to serve to end impunity and bring to justice those responsible for serious crimes committed during Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan.
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