Ombudsman participated in the commemorative event held in Ankara on the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide

The Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, participated in a commemorative event organized in Ankara, Türkiye, on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide, organized by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, the Türkiye-Azerbaijan Friendship, Cooperation and Solidarity Association, and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Türkiye.

At her speech, the Ombudsman spoke about Armenia long-term occupation policy, which has resulted in ethnic cleansing and genocide of Azerbaijanis, massive murder of  hundreds of thousands of innocent people, and forced replacement of our compatriots who turned to refugees and IDPs. The Ombudsman also briefed the participants about the genocide committed against civilians in Khojaly on the night of February 25-26, 1992 by Armenia in violation of the norms and principles of international law.

Emphasizing the importance of giving a thorough and impartial evaluation of this tragedy and holding the criminals  accountable, Sabina Aliyeva, said that despite 33 years have passed, international organizations and states have yet to properly recognize the Khojaly genocide on a political and legal level.

The Ombudsman stated that despite repeated appeals to Armenia, accurate information regarding the fate of almost 4000 of our compatriots who went missing during the First and Second Karabakh War, including 150 during the Khojaly atrocity, has not been collected. She emphasized that around 170 persons have had their identities confirmed thus far, and that mass graves were found during construction, restoration, and search and excavation activities conducted in our liberated areas. 

The Ombudsman further highlighted the fact that our compatriots had fled the areas of present-day Armenia at different times during the past century, and that their basic liberties and rights had been flagrantly infringed. The settlements, historical sites, and religious shrines belonging to Azerbaijanis were demolished. The Ombudsman emphasized how important it is to protect ethnic Azerbaijanis' rights and freedoms that have been violated and to ensure their safe and dignified return to their ancestral homelands.