34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide
The Embassy of Azerbaijan has marked the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide through a memorial ceremony at Raoul Wallenberg's memorial in Stockholm. Participants gathered to honor the victims by laying a wreath at the monument – a place that symbolizes civil courage and resistance to genocide and ethnic persecution. The Khojaly genocide is one of the most tragic events of the Garabagh conflict...
On the night of 25-26 February 1992, more than 600 Azerbaijani civilians were killed in the town of Khojaly, including 106 women and 63 children. Hundreds of people were injured and 150 people are still reported missing. Entire families were wiped out, and many children lost one or both of their parents. According to Human Rights Watch, the massacre was the single greatest tragedy in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and was described as an act of particular seriousness that may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.
The massacre took place in the context of the occupation and ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijan's Garabagh region and seven surrounding districts by Armenia, forcing over 700,000 people to flee their homes. Azerbaijan has described the events as part of a systematic policy of ethnic discrimination and violence directed against Azerbaijanis.
Recognition of the Khojaly genocide has increased in recent years. To date, 17 national legislatures, 24 states in the United States, as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Organization of Turkish States have passed resolutions condemning the massacre and classifying it as a crime against humanity and a genocide. The European Court of Human Rights has also described the acts as of such a serious nature that they may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.
In his speech, Ambassador Zaur Ahmadov emphasized the symbolic importance of gathering at the memorial of Raoul Wallenberg – a person who saved thousands of innocent civilians during World War II. He underlined the importance of preserving the memory of the victims of the Khojaly genocide, continuing efforts for international recognition and ensuring accountability for abuses committed. The ambassador also referred to the international campaign "Justice for Khojaly", initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, which has been working for many years to spread knowledge about the tragedy and promote recognition in various countries and parliaments. At the same time, he underlined Azerbaijan's desire for peace and reconciliation in the region and the importance of a just and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The ceremony ended with a minute's silence and the laying of wreaths in memory of the victims of Khojaly.