Armenia systematically destroyed Azerbaijan's cultural heritage Women from Western Azerbaijan to European Commission head

A group of women from Western Azerbaijan has sent an appeal to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The appeal contains information about ethnic cleansing and other crimes against humanity committed by Armenia and calls on the European Commission to provide practical support for the safe and dignified return of Azerbaijanis to their homes, taking into account the special needs of women and children, a source in the Western Azerbaijan Community told Report.

The appeal, signed by women intellectuals and young students from Western Azerbaijan, says:

"With this letter, written on behalf of the Azerbaijani women and girls expelled from Armenia, we would like to bring to your attention our ongoing suffering. The goal of the Western Azerbaijan Community, established in 1989, is to protect the rights of Azerbaijanis who were forced to leave their homes in Armenia and ensure their safe and dignified return.

As a result of the total ethnic cleansing carried out by Armenia against Azerbaijanis, not a single Azerbaijani remained in this country. This has had a detrimental impact on our community and caused especially great suffering to our women and girls.

The Western Azerbaijan community, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1325, attaches special importance to the agenda on women, peace and security. In the Concept of Return prepared by our organisation, the interests of women, children and persons belonging to a socially vulnerable group of the population are identified as the main priority, a central role in the return process is assigned to internationally accepted progressive approaches and standards in this area, including the agenda on women, peace and security.

We are convinced that increasing the role of women is necessary to create a peaceful and stable society and are committed to advancing this agenda. We envisage the active participation of women in the repatriation and reintegration process to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of this process.

It should be noted that Armenia did not limit itself to ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis, it systematically destroyed our cultural heritage in Armenia. The destruction of cultural and religious monuments, including mosques, cemeteries and other shrines, has brought great pain and suffering to Azerbaijanis and is a gross violation of international humanitarian law and human rights. Over the past thirty years, Armenia has refused to allow Azerbaijanis to visit cemeteries, cultural heritage sites and places of worship, despite the fact that such trips are of great importance for peace and reconciliation. Such inhumane treatment of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage and the prohibition of access to it contributes to the further increase of regional tension.

As you know, we recently sent a letter to the President of the Council of the European Union, Charles Michel, in order to raise awareness of the goals of our organization and to receive political support for our efforts for the safe and dignified return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia. Taking this opportunity, we would like to note the positive role of the EU as a mediator in the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani interstate relations. We believe that the issue of the safe and dignified return, rehabilitation and reintegration of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia should be at the centre of these diplomatic efforts.

Of course, the return process will also require substantial practical support from the international community. We would be very grateful for the relevant practical assistance of the European Commission for our return in general and for the development and implementation of programs that serve to meet the special needs of Azerbaijani women and girls during their repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration to Armenia.

We count on your personal support as a woman and mother. We believe that with your support we will be able to work successfully to ensure the safe and dignified return of the exiled Azerbaijanis, including women and girls, and thereby ensure their bright future."