Reza Deghati awarded medal for decades of advocacy on Azerbaijani history

As part of the VI Summer Camp for Diaspora Youth held in Khankendi and organised by the State Committee for Work with the Diaspora along with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, internationally acclaimed photojournalist Reza Deghati was honoured with the medal “For Merit in Diaspora Activities.”

The award was presented by Fuad Muradov, chairman of the State Committee for Diaspora Affairs, together with Elchin Yusubov, the special representative of the President of Azerbaijan in Khankendi and the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, Caliber.Az reports.

Fuad Muradov praised Deghati’s longstanding and invaluable efforts in informing the global community about the realities of Azerbaijan.

In response, Reza Deghati affirmed his commitment to continuing his work, spreading the truth about Azerbaijan on the international stage.

Reza Deghati, a French photographer of Azerbaijani descent, has played a vital role in sharing documentary photographs about Karabakh and the Khojaly genocide with the world. Upon learning of the Khojaly massacre in February 1992, he immediately travelled from Paris to Baku to document the aftermath. His compelling images vividly portrayed the suffering and devastation endured by the victims, serving as powerful evidence of the atrocities.

Deghati’s dedication goes beyond photography; he has organised numerous exhibitions in cities such as Paris, Brussels, and Baku to keep the memory of Khojaly alive and to educate international audiences, thereby fostering support for justice.

In 2023, together with Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of IDEA Public Union, Deghati launched the website KhojalyWitness.org, which features his photographs and articles from leading media outlets. This platform provides extensive information about the genocide in multiple languages, aiming to reach a wide audience.

Through his unwavering dedication, Reza Deghati has made a significant impact on the global recognition of the Khojaly genocide, ensuring that the voices and stories of its victims continue to be heard worldwide.