UN special rapporteur must correct gross mistake
Statement by Western Azerbaijan Community

SOCIETY  03 December 2023 - 14:46

The Western Azerbaijan Community has stated that UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights Alexandra Xanthaki made absurd statements about the alleged destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Karabakh.

“UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights Alexandra Xanthaki made absurd statements about the alleged destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Karabakh. First of all, we would like to emphasise that the absolutely anti-Azerbaijani content of the UN special rapporteur’s letter, as well as the fact that Armenian diplomats immediately shared it, show that the letter was written by the Armenian Foreign Ministry. We condemn and categorically reject the statements of the special rapporteur that threaten Azerbaijan’s sovereignty,” Azertag reports citing the Western Azerbaijan Community.

The use of such fictitious toponyms by the UN special rapporteur, such as “Nagorno-Karabakh”, “Mardakert”, “Karmir Shuka”, “Khramort”, is also unacceptable. In this regard, the UN special rapporteur is recommended to read the UN documents on the importance of using toponyms provided by the countries themselves.

“It is regrettable that the UN special rapporteur who speaks about the “deportation of Armenians from Lachin” disrespects international law, thereby turning into an Azerbaijanophobe and putting herself in an awkward position. This letter discredits the UN itself. We regret that the UN and UNESCO did not react and remained silent regarding the destruction of the historical and cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people both in Armenia and in the once occupied territories,” the statement said.

According to the statement, it turns out that the special rapporteur is also an expert on Caucasian Albania, and the Udi community’s visit to religious shrines in Karabakh offended her.

“The UN special rapporteur added that the Blue Mosque in Yerevan is not an ‘Azerbaijani heritage’. In general, it is unknown what purpose Xanthaki is pursuing by making such absurd statements. If Xanthaki’s goal is ‘Armenian heritage’ then why does she mention the Blue Mosque?” the statement said.

The UN special rapporteur deliberately distorted the activity of the Western Azerbaijan Community.

“The UN special rapporteur must correct her gross mistake and express her attitude towards the destruction of the cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people by Armenia, and begin negotiating with the Armenian government on this issue. Otherwise, it will be fully proven that she is guided by ethnic and religious sympathies and is an Azerbaijanophobe. In general, it seems that one of the reasons for Xanthaki’s bias is that she is from Greece. We urge the UN special rapporteur to act independently and impartially in accordance with her mandate and put an end to the miserable claims against Azerbaijan,” the statement said.

Caliber.Az