Azerbaijan's faith leaders mark Khojaly massacre anniversary, call for accountability

Leaders of Azerbaijan’s religious communities issued a joint statement on the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, honouring the memory of those who lost their lives in one of the deadliest episodes of the Karabakh conflict.

According to local media, the statement was read at a commemorative event held by the Caucasian Muslims Office.

In the statement, the religious leaders said:

"On the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy, we pay our deepest respect and honor to the memory of the innocent victims of this tragedy. Today, the city of Khojaly is being rebuilt, our spiritual values are being restored, and the residents of Khojaly are returning to their native land. However, the moans and cries of Khojaly’s victims are never erased from our hearts; the broken lives of innocent children, women, and the elderly are not forgotten. To ensure that the world does not witness such tragedies again, they must not be forgotten: these crimes should receive international condemnation, and the perpetrators must be justly punished."

The statement was signed by:

• Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office

• Bishop Alexiy of Baku and Azerbaijan

• Milikh Yevdaev, Head of the Mountain Jewish Religious Community of Azerbaijan

• Alexander Sharovsky, Chairman of the Baku Religious Community of European Jews

• Robert Mobili, Chairman of the Albanian-Udin Christian Religious Community in Azerbaijan

• Zamir Isayev, Chairman of the Georgian Sephardic Jewish Religious Community of Azerbaijan

The anniversary, observed on February 26, marks the attack on Khojaly by Armenian armed formations with support from the 366th Motorised Rifle Regiment of the former Soviet Army on the night of February 25–26, 1992. During the assault, homes were destroyed, and thousands of residents were forced into freezing night conditions.

The attack resulted in 613 deaths, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly individuals. Eight families were entirely wiped out, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both. In addition, 487 people were wounded, 1,275 were taken hostage, and 150 remain missing.

The Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan first recognised February 26 as Khojaly Genocide Remembrance Day in 1994, reaffirmed by resolutions in 1995, 2007, and 2012. The memory of Khojaly continues to serve as a solemn reminder of the human cost of conflict and the ongoing need to prevent such atrocities in the future.

By Tamilla Hasanova