Pakistan joins advocacy efforts for Western Azerbaijanis’ safe return to homeland PHOTO

The Chairman of the Board of the Western Azerbaijan Community, Aziz Alakbarli, recently met with Riffat Inam Butt, the Secretary of Pakistan’s Law and Justice Commission, to discuss the plight of Azerbaijanis displaced from their ancestral homeland in Armenia.

During the meeting, Alakbarli shared details of the mass deportations that Western Azerbaijanis endured throughout the 20th century, shedding light on the historical injustices faced by the community, the community told Caliber.Az.

As part of his address, Alakbarli highlighted the upcoming international conference titled "Right of Return: Justice for Azerbaijanis forcibly expelled from Armenia," which is set to take place in Baku on December 5-6.

The conference aims to bring attention to the urgent need for the peaceful, safe, and dignified return of Western Azerbaijanis to their homes, a process Alakbarli emphasized as crucial for restoring justice to those wronged.

In response, Riffat Inam Butt expressed Pakistan's firm support for the right of return, underscoring its alignment with international law, which recognizes the right of displaced people to return to their homeland. She assured the delegation that her commission is committed to assisting in raising awareness about the issue on a global scale, advocating for the community's cause, and providing legal support as needed.

The Western Azerbaijan Community, originally established in 1989 as the Azerbaijan Refugee Society and later rebranded, plays a pivotal role in advocating for the rights of Azerbaijanis displaced from what is now modern-day Armenia. The organization is dedicated not only to lobbying for the right of return but also to ensuring the protection and security of Azerbaijanis in the region, working to safeguard their rights and foster their development.

By Tamilla Hasanova