The Ombudsman participated in a commemorative event held in Ankara marking the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide

Sabina Aliyeva, the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan participated in a commemorative event held in Ankara, Türkiye, marking the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. The event was organized by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, the Türkiye–Azerbaijan Friendship, Cooperation and Solidarity Association, and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Türkiye.

The event had brought together the members of the Turkish Parliament, representatives of the diplomatic missions, the Chief Ombudsman of Türkiye, as well as the executives and representatives of the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye. In her speech, the Ombudsman broadly informed the participants about the Khojaly genocide, emphasizing that it has gone down in history as a crime against humanity and a gross violation of the norms and principles of international law and international humanitarian law.

The Ombudsman noted that on the night of 25–26 February 1992, 613 civilians were killed in Khojaly by the armed forces of Armenia, and 1,275 people were taken captive.

Sabina Aliyeva stated that nearly 4,000 persons went missing during the First Karabakh War, including 150 compatriots during the Khojaly genocide, noting that this issue remains a grave humanitarian problem awaiting resolution from the perspective of IHL and human rights.

The Ombudsman stated that, as a result of the historic Victory achieved in the Patriotic War under the leadership of the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s territories were liberated from occupation and the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty were restored.

Sabina Aliyeva stated that Azerbaijan is carrying out extensive reconstruction and restoration works, as well as implementing major infrastructure projects in the territories liberated from occupation, and that positive steps are being taken toward ensuring sustainable peace in the region.

The Ombudsman emphasized that the mine problem continues to persist in the liberated territories, posing a serious threat to people’s lives and health, impeding the safe return of former IDPs to their native lands, and obstructing the ongoing reconstruction and redevelopment efforts.

The Ombudsman informed that a number of individuals who participated in this genocide and other war crimes committed against our people have been arrested and brought to investigation. She noted that, in full compliance with international judicial practice, open court proceedings were conducted in respect of these individuals, their guilt was fully proven, and they were convicted by the court.

The Ombudsman emphasized the importance of strengthening international human rights mechanisms and bringing those responsible to justice to prevent the recurrence of grave crimes against humanity such as the Khojaly tragedy.

The Ombudsman also gave interviews to international media representatives, as well as local media representatives of the Türkiye.