Brussels hosts international conference on right of return for western Azerbaijanis PHOTO

An international conference focused on the right of western Azerbaijanis to return to their historical lands was held in Brussels.

The event was organised with the support of the Community of Western Azerbaijan (CWA) and the French non-governmental organisation CAP Freedom of Conscience, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media. 

The conference drew experts in international law, researchers, and public figures from Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy, and Azerbaijan. Participants discussed the historical deportation of Azerbaijanis from their ancestral lands and highlighted the right of return as a fundamental principle under international law.

CWA Chairman Aziz Alakbarli emphasised that Azerbaijanis were systematically displaced from their territories during the 20th century. He also noted that Armenia’s policies resulted in billions of dollars in material losses for Azerbaijanis and caused widespread destruction of their cultural heritage.

Alakbarli further stated that, despite repeated appeals, the Armenian side has refused to engage in dialogue with the CWA. He expressed support for Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s initiatives to promote peace and coexistence in the region, highlighting recent diplomatic developments, including the outcomes of a meeting in Washington on August 8, as steps toward stability in the South Caucasus.

As part of the conference, organisers also presented a photo exhibition showcasing the destruction of cultural heritage sites belonging to western Azerbaijanis, drawing attention to the human and cultural impact of the displacement.

By Sabina Mammadli