Khojaly genocide victims honored in Japan
By Amina Nazarli
The Azerbaijani embassy in Japan has held an event marking the
23rd anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy, AzerTag state news agency
reported.
The event, which brought together members of Azerbaijan`s diaspora
in Japan, public figures and journalists, started with a
one-minute-silence in memory of the Khojaly victims.
Ambassador Gursel Ismayilzade briefed the event participants on the
history of the tragedy.
“The Armenian military forces committed genocide in Khojaly on
February 26, 1992. Some 613 people were killed, including 63
children, 106 women and 70 old men. A total of 1,000 civilians were
disabled during the genocide. Eight families were annihilated, 130
children lost one parent, and 25 lost both. Additionally, 1,275
peaceful residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150
remains unknown.”
He provided an insight into the “Justice for Khojaly” International
Awareness Campaign initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of
the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
The ‘Justice for Khojaly’ campaign kicked off in 2008 on the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva, aimed to spread the realities about the Khojaly genocide, the recognition of this tragedy as genocide committed against the Azerbaijani people.
Up to this day, events dedicated to this tragedy, have been held in over 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Protests and rallies in front of the parliaments and government agencies of various countries, as well as seminars and conferences were held as part of the events.
Thanks to the ‘Justice for Khojaly’ campaign, the Khojaly genocide has been recognized by a number of states and international organizations.
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