Only two of 600 Azerbaijani cemeteries in Armenia remain intact

Head of the Initiative Group on return to Western Azerbaijan within the Azerbaijani parliament Aziz Alakbarli has said that only two out of 600 cemeteries in Armenia where Western Azerbaijanis were buried, remain intact and have not been destroyed by Armenians. 

"One cemetery is in Qaranamaz village of the Amasia district while another in Jujakend village in the Kalinino district," Alakbarli said during a plenary parliamentary session, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

He noted that the current situation regarding cemeteries in Shirli village of the Vedi district, as well as in Sarvanlar and Ranjbar villages in the Zangibasar district, is under investigation, as these sites have been covered with soil to conceal their existence.

"More than 450 of our cemeteries in Armenia have been completely obliterated, and only ruins remain of about 150 cemeteries. The fortifications for tanks have been constructed in the cemeteries of four villages in the Basarkechar district, namely, Sariyagub, Dashkend, Yukhari Shorja, and Janahmed. The fortifications in Yukhari Shorja and Janahmed villages were built in early 2024. There is a similar situation in Zod and Inakdagi villages of Basarkechar. It is essential to compile evidence regarding these facts and present them to the international community. Both Armenia and the countries that support it and pursue an anti-Azerbaijani agenda bear responsibility for this vandalism," he added. 

The Western Azerbaijan Community is focused on safeguarding the rights of Azerbaijanis who have been forcibly displaced from Armenia. The Community has endorsed the “Concept of Return,” which aims to facilitate the peaceful, safe, and dignified return of Azerbaijanis expelled from present-day Armenia. 

This Concept outlines the overall framework for the objectives, principles, and measures required for the Community's efforts to facilitate the return of these deported individuals. Grounded in international law and relevant domestic legislation, it also reflects historical realities, aiming to promote justice and peace.

By Naila Huseynova