Azernews.Az

The Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict emerged as a result of Armenians` abusing Azerbaijanis` tolerance, a senior Azerbaijani lawmaker has said.
Chairwoman of the Milli Majlis (parliament) commission on human rights Rabiyyat Aslanova`s statement came at her meeting with the Jewish leader of Los Angeles, Rabbi Abraham Kuper, who heads the Museum of Tolerance in the Californian city.
She emphasized that throughout Azerbaijan`s history, there has never been stand-off in the country on religious grounds. Christians and Jews consider Azerbaijan their homeland.
"Unfortunately, Armenians abused Azerbaijanis` tolerance in the 1980-90s. As a result, the Garabagh conflict flared up," the MP said.
Aslanova said the conflict was instigated by Armenian chauvinists and clerics. Nonetheless, tolerance is exercised toward Armenians living in Azerbaijan. Five Armenian Gregorian churches are operating in the country, of which one is located in the center of the capital Baku.
"We are keeping the Armenian church, as we are not barbarians," the lawmaker said.
She said that in contrast to this, Armenians have razed to the ground the remaining 800 Azerbaijani mosques in their country`s territory. "Destroying religious centers is nothing but barbarianism."
Armenians have also destroyed cemeteries that belonged to Azerbaijanis, she said.
Kuper expressed disappointment with the destruction of Azerbaijani shrines, saying the US public was unaware of the developments. He said Azerbaijan should therefore work more closely with US NGOs and public, and invited Aslanova to visit the United States as a first step in that direction. "We would be happy to organize your visit," Kuper added.
Aslanova said her country stated these undeniable facts in all international organizations but no result has been achieved yet. "The world community doesn`t want to hear us," she said.
The commission chair added that holding accountable those who committed mass killings of Jews was appropriate, referring to the gruesome developments of the Holocaust. "But justice should be served for the perpetrators of all crimes in the world," she added.