"Some Armenians threaten me, but most talk about the need for peace"
Human rights activist Efendiyeva still offers help

INTERVIEWS  15 December 2022 - 10:40

Caliber.Az interviewed Dilara Efendiyeva, an Azerbaijani human rights activist, one of the active participants of the Azerbaijani public action in the Shusha-Khankendi section of the highway, head of "Woman: Peace and Security" center under the Azerbaijan Society for the Protection of Women's Rights named after D.Aliyeva.

- On December 13 you addressed the Armenian citizens of Azerbaijan living in the zone of temporary responsibility of Russian peacekeepers with the proposal to provide humanitarian aid, if necessary. Have you received any appeals on this issue?

- Yes, my phone does not stop ringing. There were a lot of calls from Azerbaijanis living abroad, as well as appeals from residents of the country wishing to join the action.

There were calls from our compatriots living in the zone of temporary responsibility of Russian peacekeepers in the Karabakh region. People are interested in the reasons and goals of the action and are indignant about the peacekeepers' actions, who blocked the road. In fact, my proposal was addressed by 4 people whose families were separated, and there was also a call from Russia with a message about 18 children from Askeran who were returning from a festival in Yerevan and were stuck in Gorus. To help them, we need the names of these people and the license plates of the cars to start negotiations with the peacekeepers. However, it does not go beyond the calls yet, although I feel the excitement of these people judging by their tone. Apparently, the residents are still afraid of the pressure in case the separatist leaders figure them out.

- Please explain once again to our readers (and not only them), do you have to give the numbers of cars to peacekeepers?

- The Lachin road is blocked not by protesters, but by Russian peacekeepers. That is, in order for them to let a vehicle with residents through, we have to enter into negotiations with them and provide full details.

Our action is peaceful. We demand that the norms of Azerbaijani law on the use of natural resources are respected. No one has the right to plunder the subsoil of our homeland. We have no other goal, as the Armenian propaganda tries to present it.

- You mentioned above about the calls you received. What kind of requests did the Karabakh Armenians make to you?

- Yes, some of the calls were indeed about humanitarian issues. But there were also insults and threats. The callers threatened to kill me and take me hostage. They threatened in any way they could. But I didn't do anything bad to people. I'm just an Azerbaijani woman who offered help to people in need and who has been involved in peacemaking for many years.

- And after all this, you still keep your offer of help in force? Wouldn't you rather change your phone number to save yourself from threatening calls?

- Absolutely not! On the contrary, I want to remind you again. Among these calls were many where I managed to talk to some reasonable people concerned about the situation and wanted peace. They told me that their people, too, are tired and exhausted by this hostility, and they understand that a swift conclusion of a peace agreement will bring prosperity and security to our region. These people agreed with me that there is a need for dialogue to restore trust and good-neighborly relations. So I will stay in touch, no matter what the threats! After all, our goals are purely for the greater good. I repeat: if our fellow citizens in Karabakh have health problems or other humanitarian issues, I am ready to respond and do my best to solve them. I remind you my number: +994 50 311 02 33.

Caliber.Az