Norms of International Law also confirm that the mass slaughter committed by Armenian militaries against Azerbaijanis in Khojaly is genocide. This tragedy will be remembered throughout history and perpetrators of this massacre will be punished.
These opinions were voiced during the memorial Ceremony held on February
In the beginning of the ceremony, the attendants honored the memory of Khojaly victims with a minute of silence.
Making opening speech Farhad Abdullayev, Chairman of the Constitutional Court, noted that our people had been remembering this tragedy with a sense of deep sorrow for past 25 years, and talked about the measures taken for informing the world about Khojaly tragedy.
It was noted that Khojaly Genocide which is the most terrible and bloody tragedy against Azerbaijanis was committed on the night of 25 to 26 of February in 1992; in that night, Khojaly city was destroyed by Armenian fascists and their supporters; peaceful population was brutally annihilated, 613 people were killed, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly people, 1275 inhabitans were taken hostage.
Farhad Abdullayev, Chairman, emphasized that Khojaly Genocide was a part of the ethnic cleansing by Armenian chauvinists against Azerbaijanis in the 19th and 20th centuries. He also highlighted that the first political and legal assessment of Khojaly genocide was made when the National Leader Heydar Aliyev returned to power. He stressed that Milli Majlis made a decision "On Khojaly Genocide" on February 24, 1994 on the initiative of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev. National Leader made purposeful and consistent steps in the direction of informing the world states and international organizations about the genocide. Conveying the real essence of this genocide to the UN and world states, he called the international community to take effective measures against Armenian terrorism.
F.Abdullayev emphasized that, with the purpose of informing the international community about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, systematic works are carried out under the leadership of Mr. President Ilham Aliyev. Nationwide march held on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the tragedy with the participation of tens of thousands of people in Baku in 2012, and numerous events organized in several countries prove the successful implementation of the measures aiming at recognition of the genocide in the state level. President Ilham Aliyev has always been paying special attention to perpetuation of the memory of the victims and strengthening of social protection of their family members.
Furthermore, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court brought to the attention that the international community is informed about the Khojaly genocide committed by Armenian armed forces, as a result of the policy pursued by Azerbaijan. Heydar Aliyev Foundation carries out important projects to inform the world about the Khojaly genocide. In this respect, the invaluable contribution of Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to such projects is particularly noteworthy.
Regarding the massacre committed by Armenian armed forces in Khojaly, a lot of events and memorial ceremonies have been held in several countries. As a result of such successful policies, a number of states, more than 20 states of the U.S., and several international organizations have made important decisions on the recognition of the Khojaly Massacre as Genocide. As a result of these efforts, the world community has become more informed about the Khojaly tragedy and the occupation of our lands.
F.Abdullayev highlighted the role of Leyla Aliyeva, the Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Senior Coordinator for Intercultural Dialogue of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum, in ensuring the Genocide’s international recognition. He said that on the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva, international campaign - "Justice for Khojaly" launched on May 8, 2008 played an important role in bringing the world the truth about the Khojaly genocide. Each year, more than hundred countries carry out large-scale events in connection with this campaign. Demonstration of “Endless Corridor”, a documentary film shot in the framework of the campaign named “Justice for Khojaly", and granted several international awards, in different countries is of great importance in terms of the recognition of the truth about the Khojaly genocide.
In the memorial ceremony, reports of the employees of the Office of the Constitutional Court were heard, too. The reports said that choosing Khojaly as a main target by Armenians is not accidental; this genocide is the most serious crime committed not only against the people of Azerbaijan, but also the humanity; and Armenia"s current leadership is directly responsible for the Khojaly genocide.
At the end of the Memorial Ceremony, F.Abdullayev said: “Each Azerbaijan citizen should intensify effort for conveying to the world community the truth about the Khojaly genocide and the Nagorno-karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Khojaly tragedy is bloody memory of the Azerbaijani people. The results of measures taken towards recognition of the Khojaly genocide, give ground to say that the perpetrators of this tragedy will be brought to justice anyway. So, we should be closely united around the President Ilham Aliyev, and support his policy and try to deliver the voice of truth to the world.
The Chairman of the Constitutional Court noted that the liberation of a part of our occupied lands during the April battles, signing of the decree by the President of Azerbaijan on restoration of Jojug Marjanli village, and the measures taken towards returning of Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced persons to their lands cause our people to believe that the expected “great return” is not far away.
In the Memorial ceremony, the documentary film made by AZERTAJ regarding the Khojaly Genocide was demonstrated.
