Six years have passed since the missile strikes carried out by the Armenian armed forces on Azerbaijan's Barda city and Garayusifli village on October 27–28, 2020, during the Second Karabakh War, stated in a statement by the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, APA reports.
The statement recalled that the attacks on densely populated civilian areas resulted in the deaths of 27 civilians, including children and women, injured more than 70 people, and caused serious damage to residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.
"As Azerbaijani civil society, we commemorate the victims of this tragedy with deep sorrow and respect and strongly condemn the attacks carried out against civilians.
The Barda tragedy is a grave criminal incident that once again demonstrates the importance of protecting civilians during wartime. The relevant provisions of international humanitarian law, including Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute, prohibit deliberate attacks against civilians. We believe that the attacks in Barda that resulted in the deaths of civilians must be objectively assessed within the framework of international law, and those responsible must be held accountable.
Azerbaijani civil society calls on the international community to take a principled stance on the Barda tragedy and other attacks committed against civilians during the war. The gross violation of innocent people's right to life must not be forgotten, and consistent efforts must be made to protect the rights of the victims and restore justice. Ensuring justice is not only a tribute to the memory of the victims of the tragedy but also an important condition for preventing similar crimes in the future.
We also call on Armenian civil society to show solidarity in defending human rights, acknowledging historical truths, and promoting lasting peace. We believe that drawing lessons from the tragedies of the past, rejecting violence and calls for revanchism, and strengthening mutual trust will serve the peaceful future of our peoples. Justice and peace are not alternatives to each other; on the contrary, they are inseparable foundations of lasting reconciliation and the security of future generations," the statement said.
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