OIC adopts resolution backing right of return for Western Azerbaijanis

The 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in Istanbul on June 21–22, concluded with the adoption of several key documents, including a landmark resolution affirming the right of return for Azerbaijanis forcibly displaced from present-day Armenian territory.

As a result of the session, the “Istanbul Declaration” was adopted along with five resolutions put forward by the Republic of Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The session was particularly notable for the adoption of a resolution concerning the Western Azerbaijan Community for the first time within the framework of the OIC, the ministry said.

The resolution, titled "The Right of Return of Azerbaijanis Forcefully and Systematically Deported from Present-Day Armenian Territories", affirms the support of OIC member states for the Western Azerbaijan Community’s right to return to their ancestral lands in dignity. The resolution also condemns Armenia’s denial of the rights of this community.

In addition to the aforementioned resolution, the Istanbul Declaration welcomes the progress made in the normalisation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia and calls on Armenia to remove the political and legal obstacles to signing a peace agreement.

The declaration also expresses support for Azerbaijan's reconstruction and demining efforts to ensure the dignified return of internally displaced persons who were forced to flee their homes as a result of Armenia’s aggression.

Furthermore, the declaration confirms the existence of the right of return of Azerbaijanis who were forcibly expelled from present-day Armenian territories and condemns Armenia’s refusal to engage in dialogue with the Western Azerbaijan Community.

The resolution "Solidarity with the Victims of the 1992 Khojaly Massacre" strongly condemns the war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide committed by the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia in February 1992 in the town of Khojaly, as well as in other formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Member states are called upon to make necessary efforts to ensure recognition of these crimes.

The resolution titled "Elimination of the Consequences of the Aggression by the Republic of Armenia Against the Republic of Azerbaijan" strongly condemns Armenia’s continued aggression and its consequences, and expresses support for Azerbaijan’s post-conflict restoration and reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories.

In the resolution "Economic Support to the Republic of Azerbaijan", OIC member states and Islamic financial institutions are called upon to support Azerbaijan’s reconstruction and demining efforts.

The resolution titled "Destruction and Desecration of Islamic Historical and Cultural Monuments and Traces in the Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a Result of the Aggression by the Republic of Armenia" strongly condemns the acts of vandalism committed by Armenia against Islamic cultural heritage in the formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan and supports Azerbaijan’s demand for reparations for these crimes.