Azernews.Az

BAKU – Caucasus Muslims Office chairman, Sheikh Allahshukur Pashazada has addresses the world leaders and international organizations on the 19th anniversary of Khojaly genocide.

The Khojaly tragedy has not been denounced by the history yet, it has not been condemned by the world community and no political assessment has been given to this event, the appeal says.

"We would like to again remind to the world community that 19 years ago, on February 26, over 10,000 peaceful civilians of Khojaly were brutally attacked, hundreds of people were killed, there was no mercy even for women, elders and children, dead bodies were insulted," the appeal says.

"The indifference towards Armenia’s barbarism against Azerbaijan should be assessed as inspiring terrorism. Despite UN resolutions demanding withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, Armenia doesn’t intend to give up its aggressive policy. In accordance with the UN resolutions, the principles and rules of law, the international community must put an end to this illegal situation and force Armenia to respect the commitments it undertook to international organizations. Encouraged by its impunity, Armenia is constantly trying to break the ceasefire, demonstrates an unconstructive position in peace negotiations," the appeal says.

Pashazada urged the world religious leaders and international organizations to contribute to a fair solution of the Karabakh conflict.

Thousands of Azerbaijani civilians were slain by Armenian armed forces in the Khojaly region with the support of Russian troops on February 25-26, 1992. 613 people were brutally killed, including 106 women, 63 children and 70 elderly. 1,275 were taken captives, while 487 became handicapped and 190 went missing.

Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994. 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory, including Nagorno Karabakh and seven adjacent districts, has been under Armenian occupation since then. OSCE-brokered peace talks have been largely fruitless so far.