Domestic

Home page

Domestic

Draft law on Khojaly genocide elaborated

23 February 2009 14:32 (UTC +04:00)

-You elaborated the draft law on Khojaly genocide. What led you to make such initiative?

-There were different initiatives and proposals for international recognition of Khojaly genocide. I thought that this issue should be regulated within the legal framework. I elaborated the draft law of Azerbaijan Republic on Khojaly genocide. I submitted the document to the parliamentâ€™s office several months ago. I am very hopeful that the document will be approved by the parliament.

-What is taken into consideration in the draft law?

-The preamble of the draft law contains information about the tragic history and articles of international law against the genocide. We must give political value to this tragedy and to determine status of people suffered from the genocide. The draft law considers to declare the tragedy as an act of genocide committed by Armenia against the Azerbaijani people, to accept the killed people as victims of genocide, to declare Khojaly â€œthe town suffered from the genocideâ€ considering destruction of material and spiritual values in the town. The issue must be taken into consideration in the state policy. The town must receive the permanent status, which will be kept after the liberation of occupied territories. Special compensations and privileges must be determined for the genocide victims for their social and moral rehabilitation. It is possible to sue Armenia in the international court.

-Are there points in the draft law for international recognition of the tragedy?

-Yes there are. The document covers commemorative events on Khojaly tragedy, tasks of the government agencies for the recognition of the tragedy on the international level. According to the draft law, February 26 is to be marked as a day of genocide every year and a minute of silence is to be declared at 17.00. It is very important to make the events held every year the subject of the law. Khojaly should be the theme of the first lesson at the educational establishments on February 26.

-Do you consider that the law will be unanimously met by all after it is adopted?

-In order to ensure it, the draft law also contains an item on denial of the tragedy. Any action or inaction aiming to deny Khojaly genocide is the disrespect to the victims of the genocide. According to the draft law denial of the tragedy is regarded as insult of Azerbaijanisâ€™ honor and dignity and punished in accordance with the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan Republic. I have also showed in the draft law that it is banned to use alcoholic drinks in public catering establishments and hold entertaining events and concerts. The draft law also contains articles about punishment of the perpetrators of the genocide. This issue is discussed every year and I think that the right way to solve it is to raise it before the government agencies in the form of law.