Azerbaijani NGO forum blasts Russia over ethnic killings, urges rethink of ties

The Azerbaijan National NGO Forum has issued a strongly worded statement condemning recent killings and violence against Azerbaijanis in Russia, calling the incidents a result of growing ethnic intolerance and systemic discrimination.

In the statement released on July 1, the Forum voiced outrage over what it described as a disturbing pattern of ethnically motivated attacks, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

It highlighted the events of June 27 in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, where Azerbaijanis were reportedly killed without due judicial process.

“As the voice of Azerbaijan’s civil society, we observe with outrage that the killing and violence against Azerbaijanis in Russia due to their ethnic identity have taken on a systematic character in recent times,” the statement read.

The Forum characterised the Yekaterinburg incident as emblematic of a broader trend of “ethnic and religious intolerance, racial discrimination, and fascism.” It accused Russian authorities of turning a blind eye to such acts.

“Facts, objective analyses, and numerous pieces of evidence demonstrate that such crimes against Azerbaijanis are often sanctioned, at the very least, with the tacit consent of official Moscow.”

Pointing to Azerbaijan’s long-standing efforts to maintain friendly and cooperative ties with Russia, the statement underscored the irony of the current situation. It cited examples such as the continued presence of Russian-language institutions, cultural initiatives, and support for the Russian community in Azerbaijan.

“The Republic of Azerbaijan has consistently demonstrated its commitment to a policy of friendly neighborhood, friendship, and partnership with Russia. This is evidenced by the continued existence of Russian-language departments in our country’s state educational institutions, the development of strong cultural ties with Russia, the free operation of Russian schools, theaters, and cultural centers, the special attention and care shown to the Russian community in Azerbaijan, and consistent measures taken to foster mutually beneficial economic cooperation.”

The Forum also praised the Russian community in Azerbaijan for its condemnation of the recent violence:

“We also commend the Russian Community in Azerbaijan for its resolute condemnation of the brutality by Russian security forces in Yekaterinburg.”

In light of the growing tension and perceived hostility, the Forum urged Azerbaijan’s government to reconsider the breadth of its cooperation with Moscow. It endorsed the Ministry of Culture’s recent decision to cancel joint cultural activities with Russia.

“We call on the Azerbaijani state to reconsider cooperation and relations with the Russian Federation in all areas, given the ongoing policy of threats, intimidation, and blackmail against Azerbaijanis. In this regard, we applaud the decision of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan to cancel cultural events - including concerts, festivals, performances, and exhibitions - planned in Azerbaijan through state and private institutions in collaboration with Russia.”

The statement also recalled the unresolved incident involving the downing of an AZAL aircraft in Russian airspace late last year, criticising the lack of accountability.

“The fact that those responsible for the downing of an AZAL aircraft in Russian airspace late last year have not yet been identified or brought to justice demonstrates that the Russian authorities are not interested in resolving these horrific crimes. We demand transparency, justice, and mutual respect.”

Concluding on a note of national solidarity, the Forum expressed collective mourning over the recent killing in Yekaterinburg, naming the Safarov family as symbolic of the nation's pain.

“The latest crime committed in Yekaterinburg has shaken not only the Safarov family but all of Azerbaijan. Each of us considers ourselves a part of the Safarov family.”

The Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, which unites hundreds of civil society organisations across the country, said it would continue to monitor developments and advocate for justice for Azerbaijanis abroad.

By Aghakazim Guliyev