Issue of Azerbaijani IDPs and refugees raised in UK Parliament
The tragedy of over one million Azerbaijani internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, who are the ongoing victims of the Armenian–Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, has been highlighted in the Christmas recess debate in the Westminster Parliament, Azertac reported.
Speaking just prior to the Christmas adjournment, MP Bob Blackman commented: “The conflict there has been going on for far too long. It is a forgotten conflict, and unfortunately the position with Armenia, Russia and their allies has not helped the overall situation. This year, the APPG for Azerbaijan went to see one of the camps that have been set up for these people. They are suffering very greatly through no fault of their own. It is time that human rights and shared values were restored to that part of the world.”
The statement came in the wake of a trip to Azerbaijan by the Azerbaijan All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) members in August.
The visit, supported by TEAS, was led by Bob Blackman, and comprised a cross-party delegation from both sides of the House, including Vice-Chairs Mark Menzies MP, Baroness Manzoor, Lord Kilclooney and Group Secretary, Roger Godsiff MP.
Eight members of the APPG also recently attended the Five Roads Back Home exhibition of IDP portraits by legendary photographer Philipp Rathmer, which took place at the Old Truman Brewery in London.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.
Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.
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