Azerbaijani diaspora in Netherlands demands meeting with local MPs Over Amsterdam’s biased stance

The Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with the Diaspora has announced that representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora in the Netherlands are outraged by the government's characterisation of the liberation of Karabakh as "occupation" and they are demanding a meeting with MPs.

The Azerbaijani community expressed dissatisfaction with this terminology, which appeared in the "International Security" section of the new Dutch government's programme. They criticised what they see as a biased stance from the Dutch authorities and called for objectivity and respect for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, Caliber.Az reports, citing the committee. 

“Such actions do not foster peace; instead, they escalate conflict,” the Azerbaijani community noted. The representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora have vowed to continue their protests. Moreover, the European Azerbaijani Women's Union “Ana Vatan” (“Motherland”) has sent a request to the Dutch parliament for holding a meeting and has prepared a petition.

The parliament's official website confirms that the request has been registered and that a meeting will be held, although no specific dates have been provided. 

The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict escalated on September 27, 2020, when Armenian forces shelled Azerbaijani military positions and civilian areas, leading to a 44-day counter-offensive by Azerbaijan. 

During this period, Azerbaijan liberated around 300 settlements, including Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli, and Shusha. The war ended with a trilateral statement on November 10, 2020, which saw Armenia return the Aghdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin districts to Azerbaijan. 

On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched anti-terror operations against Armenian forces in Karabakh following increased attacks and a mine incident that killed six Azerbaijani personnel. 

By September 20, Azerbaijani forces had neutralized key military assets of the Armenian forces.

On September 20, the separatist regime in Karabakh requested a halt to Azerbaijani military actions and agreed to disarm. On September 28, the separatist regime in Karabakh announced its self-dissolution and encouraged Armenian residents to review Azerbaijan’s reintegration conditions.

By Naila Huseynova