The Eurasian Regional Center of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF-ERC) commemorates the 32nd anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, committed against Azerbaijani civilians during Armenia’s military aggression and occupation of the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
On the night of 25-26 February 1992, Khojaly city, which was sieged and whose ground traffic, as well as energy supply was cut off since October 1991 and January 1992 respectively, was occupied by Armenia’s armed forces with the assistance of the former USSR’s 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment following massive artillery shelling.
As a result of the occupation, 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women, 70 elderly citizens were brutally murdered, 8 families were completely wiped out, 130 children lost one of their parents, and 25 children lost both of their parents. The fate of 150 people, including 68 women and 26 children out of 1275 people, who were taken prisoner and hostage as well as cruelly tortured is still unknown.
In reaffirming its commitment, ICYF-ERC underscores its unwavering support for the “Khojaly: Recognize to Reconcile” International Coalition, established during an international conference on “Reconciliation through Recognition: peacebuilding and transitional justice” held in the Italian Senate on March 1, 2022. “Khojaly: Recognize to Reconcile” International Coalition consists of representatives of renowned human rights organizations, such as the Association Mothers of Srebrenica, Budapest Centre for Dialogue and Mass Atrocities Prevention, and the Italian Federation of Human Rights. The objectives of the Coalition are to encourage Armenia to properly recognize the Khojaly massacre and offer a public apology to its victims; facilitate direct dialogue between Azerbaijanis and Armenians; overcome memories of the conflict and together find ways to reconciliation and sustainable peace in the South Caucasus.
ICYF – ERC vehemently condemns the act of genocide committed by the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia in the city of Khojaly against the Azerbaijani civilians and calls on:
- Armenian leaders to acknowledge the genocide and extend a public apology to its victims, an important step for reconciliation efforts;
- Armenian authorities to ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice, and hand them over to the Azerbaijani authorities;
- The international community to conduct a thorough legal assessment of the Khojaly genocide, recognizing it as genocide.
On the 32nd anniversary of the tragedy, ICYF-ERC solemnly commemorates and honors the innocent victims of the Khojaly genocide and shares its condolences with the people and Government of Azerbaijan. May Allah Almighty bless the souls of all the victims.