(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Laman Ismayilova read more The Azerbaijani Embassy in Rome has hosted a commemorative event
dedicated to the 31st anniversary of the Khojaly genocide.
Many public figures, members of the Italian parliament, state
officials, diplomatic corps representatives, local media, and
members of the Azerbaijani community took part in the event,
co-organized by Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Azerbaijani
Embassy in Italy at the embassy's cultural center, Azernews reports.
The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Italy Rashad Aslanov opened the
event with an introductory speech.
In his speech, Rashad Aslanov pointed out that the Khojaly
genocide was one of the most heinous crimes committed by Armenia
against civilians 31 years ago.
Some 613 civilians were killed in one night because of their
ethnicity, which is a clear manifestation of the ethnic cleansing
policy pursued by Armenia.
He added that the Khojaly genocide is the grossest violation of
the norms and principles of international humanitarian law.
In his remarks, Aslanov underlined that the remembrance of war,
genocide, and crimes against humanity is also important in terms of
guaranteeing the punishment of those who committed them and
preventing them from happening again.
As a result of the 44-day Patriotic War, Azerbaijan restored
justice and its territorial integrity under the leadership of
President Ilham Aliyev.
Launched by Vice-President of the Foundation Leyla Aliyeva, the
Justice for Khojaly campaign has made a significant contribution to
the legal and political assessment of the crimes committed in
Khojaly.
In her speech, Heydar Aliyev Foundation's representative Fidan
Yusibova outlined that the Khojaly genocide that took place in
front of the eyes of the world at the end of the last century was a
crime committed not only against our compatriots but against
humanity as a whole.
She pointed out that it is impossible to forget the tragedy of
Khojaly due to its scale and cruelty, and this history is forever
engraved in the blood memory of the Azerbaijani people.
This tragedy is the bloody page of the genocide policy and
ethnic cleansing committed by aggressive Armenian separatists
against the Azerbaijani people.
Conveying the truth about the crimes committed by Armenian
nationalists against Azerbaijani people, as well as the truth about
the Khojaly genocide to the world community has been always one of
the prior directions of President Ilham Aliyev's activities.
Fidan Yusibova emphasized that the First Vice-President of
Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban
Aliyeva had played an exceptional role in raising awareness about
the Khojaly genocide worldwide.
Justice for the Khojaly campaign, which is set up to spread true
facts about the Khojaly genocide, is also of special
importance.
Yusibova added that the campaign made a great contribution to
the process of recognizing the fact of genocide abroad.
The main purpose of the campaign is to inform the international
community about the Khojaly genocide, to remember the victims of
this tragedy, and to ensure that this tragedy is not forgotten,
especially by the younger generation.
Thanks to the campaign, many countries have been informed about
the inhumane killings of Armenian terrorists.
So far, more than ten countries and the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC) have adopted decisions and resolutions
recognizing the crimes committed by Armenians in Khojaly as
genocide.
'Thanks to Azerbaijan's victory in the 44-day Patriotic War
under the leadership of President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham
Aliyev, Azerbaijan commemorates the victims of the Khojaly genocide
as a victorious nation. Today, like all our martyrs, the victims of
the Khojaly genocide were avenged,' said Yusibova.
Moreover, the 13-year-old member of the Azerbaijani community in
Italy, Ilduze Sadigxanova brought to the attention of the
participants of the event in Italian the stories from the book
'They will never grow up', authored by the living witness of the
Khojaly genocide, Sariya Muslim-qizi Jafarova, and dedicated to the
victims of the Khojaly genocide.
Famous pianist, Honored Artist Islam Manafov and acclaimed
conductor and musician, Honored Artist Turan Manafzada performed
Azerbaijani and world classical works. The concert program also
included Abuzar Manafzada's music piece Khojaly.
Furthermore, the guests of the event got acquainted with a photo
exhibition timed to the 31st anniversary of the Khojaly
genocide.
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