(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 23
Trend:
Some 12 deputies of the UK's Parliament issued a joint statement
regarding the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijan's Khojaly
genocide, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UK told
Trend.
According to the embassy, the parliamentarians expressed their
condolences to the Azerbaijani people, especially those who lost
their loved ones as a result of the tragedy, and also expressed
solidarity with Azerbaijanis.
The authors of the statement described the Khojaly genocide as
one of the most tragic chapters in the recent history of
Azerbaijan. They also recalled the decision of the European Court
of Human Rights as of April 22, 2010, which characterized Khojaly
tragedy as a war crime and a crime against humanity.
In this regard, the statement stressed the need to reinforce
international humanitarian law for preventing similar tragedies in
the future.
The UK parliamentarians also welcomed the end of the conflict
and expressed hope for a complete normalization of relations
between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Furthermore, the statement noted that at the post-conflict
stage, a number of challenges have arisen, such as the clearance of
territories, the restoration of communications and transport links,
the delimitation, and the demarcation of borders. The authors of
the document called on the UK government to assist in solving these
problems, including mine-clearance operations.
The statement is the first joint initiative of the UK's MPs on
the occasion of the Khojaly genocide. Members of the House of
Commons of the United Kingdom Bob Blackman, David Duguid, Bob
Seeley, Matthew Offord, Dan Poulter, members of the House of Lords
– Lord Risby, Lord Sheikh, Lord Kilcluney, Lord Hossein, Lord
Evans, Baroness Manzur and Lord Flight had joined the
initiative.
During the first Karabakh war, on Feb. 25-26, 1992, the Armenian
Armed Forces, supported by the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet
troops, stationed in Khankendi city, committed an act of genocide
against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly.
As many as 613 civil residents, including 63 children, 106
women, and 70 old people were killed in the massacre, 1,000 people
were injured, and 1,275 were taken, hostage.
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