Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh thanks Moldovan Ombudsman for fair stance
By Sara Rajabova
Members of the Azerbaijani community of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan have thanked Moldovan Ombudsman Aurelia Grigoriu who recently condemned the 1992 massacre committed by Armenians and the Armenian occupation of the neighboring country's territory, Azerbaijan's news website Day.az reported.
In a letter of appreciation, they said the objective stance of the Moldovan Ombudsman and her moral support were timely, amid the international community's exercising double standards and indifference to the fate of millions of refugees and internally displaced persons -- who were driven out of their homes during the 1990s war fought by the two South Caucasus republics.
"You inspired confidence in us that the world community would talk about our social problems, contribute to a swift solution of the conflict and reinstatement of our rights," the letter says.
Reporting to the Armenian parliament in Yerevan on Protection of Human Rights in Frozen Conflict Zones early in July, Grigoriu blamed the Armenians for murdering innocent people in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. She also reminded that Armenia invaded 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory.
The Khojaly massacre is one of the most heinous and bloodiest events of the 20th century. Late into the night of February 25, 1992, the town of Khojaly came under intensive fire from the town of Khankendi and Askeran already occupied by Armenian armed forces. 613 civilians were killed, including 106 women, 70 elderly and 83 children, and a total of 1,000 civilians were disabled. Moreover, 1,275 innocent people were taken hostage.
Grigoriu referred to facts substantiating her remarks and mentioned the United Nations Security Council's four resolutions on Armenian withdrawal from the Azerbaijani territory, and the UN General Assembly resolution on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
According to her, Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan has become the biggest obstacle on the way of development of the South Caucasus region and integration into Europe.
While in Yerevan, Grigoriu had to isolate herself in a hotel from the furious crowd that threatened to kill her.