The Khojaly Genocide is the most tragic page of the Garabagh War. On the night of February 25-26, 1992, the Armenian military units captured 1,275 people and tortured them in the city of Khojaly, injured 487 people with various degrees, and brutally killed 613 people, including 63 children and 106 women.
The scale and brutality of this crime that was committed in one night provided full legal and moral grounds for classifying it as genocide under international law, and bringing the organizers and executors of this crime before the international tribunal for committing crimes against humanity.
The Azerbaijani state as well, has been making efforts at various levels and platforms over the years for the perpetrators of the Khojaly massacre to not go unpunished.
Azerbaijan began to fight for a legal assessment of the massacre with the adoption of the “On Khojaly Genocide Day" decision by the Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani Parliament) on February 24 of 1994, On February 24, 1994.
An appeal was made to the United Nations and the world community for the recognition of the genocide. Investigative measures regarding the Khojaly massacre were also undergone over the past years in addition to diplomatic efforts. More than 30 thousand people were interrogated as witnesses, more than 2800 different types of examinations were implemented, and documents were sent to Interpol to ensure the search for 40 people who were proven to have committed crimes against peace and humanity within the Khojaly issue. The circle of activity did not conclude only with the search for the “executioners” of Khojaly. In 2008, the "Justice to Khojaly!" international campaign which was initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, the vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, became an opportunity to cover the tragedy on a global scale and inform more people about Armenian terrorism.
16 countries so far have adopted a resolution to recognize what happened in Khojaly as genocide thanks to the international resonance as a result of the policy of the Azerbaijan state and the "Justice for Khojaly" campaign. As well 24 states of the U.S. have recognized the Khojaly Genocide. In addition, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has also adopted a resolution recognizing the massacre in Khojaly as genocide.
But during the past 32 years since the massacre, the World Union, international organizations, the organizations that showcase sensitivity to the smallest facts regarding human rights demonstrated indifference to the legal and political assessment of this tragic crime.
As if this was not enough, they are trying to hinder the efforts of the Azerbaijani state in finding and punishing the organizers of the crime and bringing them to justice. Interpol, as an international organization, has not arrested any of the organizers and executors of the massacre and has not handed them over to Azerbaijan in the past 32 years. However, their name is known to everyone. However, it is known that Robert Kocharyan, Serzh Sargsyan, Seyran Ohanyan, and others, who have seized the highest positions in the political leadership of Armenia, such as President and Minister positions, played an active role in the planning and execution of the Khojaly genocide. However, Serzh Sargsyan himself admitted that they murdered the civilians in Khojaly during his interview for “Black Garden” book written by Thomas De Waal “Azerbaijanis thought that they can make a joke with us till Khojaly. They thought that Armenians could not raise a hand against the civilian population. We had to break this stereotype. And so it happened” words.
The mass graves found in Khojaly after its liberation from occupation are obvious proof of the crimes of these fascists. However, these facts are yet to be enough to awaken international law and humanity’s consciences.
This injustice of the international community and the lack of a legal assessment of the Khojaly Genocide was voiced by President Ilham Aliyev in his interview with CNN Türk television channel on August 14, 2021.
“The countries that recognize the so-called “Armenian genocide”, that far-fetched “genocide” do not want to recognize the Khojaly genocide. They accept fake history. The main factor here is political. But it is an injustice to ignore a real genocide. We have been living with this injustice for a long time. We have grown accustomed to it and are not surprised,” the head of state had stated.
The failure of international law to liberate our lands from occupation, and the failure to implement UN resolutions and documents of European institutions finally pushed the Azerbaijani state and its leader to take a decisive step and restore historical justice. Azerbaijan cleared its territories from occupiers with the 44-Day War and the 19-20 September 2023 anti-terrorist operation.
Thus, the Azerbaijani state and its leader Ilham Aliyev restored historical justice precisely regarding the Khojaly Genocide.
This chronicle, which started with several of Khojaly’s villages being liberated from the enemy during the 44-day Patriotic War, concluded on September 19-20, 2023 during the anti-terrorist measures with the complete liberation of Khojaly and all its villages.
Many Khojaly murderers were destroyed during the operations, and some of them were detained and brought to justice.
The Khojaly murderers Vagif Khachatryan, Rashid Beglaryan, and Madat Babayan stood before the court of justice 31 years later for the massacre they committed.
Although the leaders of the Garabagh separatists, the main architects of the Khojaly Genocide Robert Kocharyan, Serzh Sargsyan, and Seiran Ohanyan think that they avoided responsibility, the day when they too will answer for these crimes against humanity is not far.
Those who closed their eyes and ears to “Justice for Khojaly” for many years had to hear this from the footsteps of the Azerbaijani soldier in Khojaly. The Azerbaijani people, President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, and the Azerbaijan Army took revenge for Khojaly and restored justice for Khojaly.
Many Khojaly executioners were destroyed during the operations conducted by the Azerbaijani Army in 2020-2023, justice found its place. Most importantly, the Khojaly city was liberated and reunited with Azerbaijan after 31 years of occupation.
This success, the punishment of the executioners of Khojaly, is first of all, the joint victory of the Azerbaijani Army and the People of Azerbaijan under the leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, and a celebration of justice.
APA Analytics
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
ANALYTICS'>
