The Hague hosts Dutch presentation of Azerbaijani journalist’s books on Khojaly tragedy PHOTO

Two books written by Azerbaijani journalist and author Sariyya Muslimqizi, who lost family members in the Khojaly massacre, have been presented in Dutch in The Hague.

The books, titled “They Never Grow Up” (Ze werden nooit voordung) and “There is One from Khojaly” (Geesten uit Khojaly), received a warm reception from the audience, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The books, translated into Dutch by writer Henry Van Rens, offer a detailed account of the horrific events of that tragic night. The translation was primarily motivated by the presence of the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands, making it a significant moment for raising awareness of the Khojaly genocide.

In her remarks, Muslimqizi, who returned to Khojaly after 32 years, stressed that the Netherlands must hold those responsible for the genocide accountable. 

Reflecting on her long-awaited return to the town and the revival of life there, she expressed her hope that the Azerbaijani people would never again endure such suffering. The day also marked a memorial ceremony commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. 

A ceremony was held at the Khojaly monument in The Hague, where attendees observed a moment of silence to honour the memory of those who perished during the tragedy and the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the homeland. Flowers and a wreath were laid at the monument as a tribute to the victims.

The Khojaly genocide is the gravest crime committed against peaceful Azerbaijani people in the course of Armenia’s aggressive war against Azerbaijan. On the night of February 25-26, 1992, in violation of all international legal norms, Armenian armed forces attacked the civilian population of the sieged town of Khojaly with heavy military equipment, killing them with unprecedented brutality and razing the town to the ground. As a result of crime against not only the people of Azerbaijan but against humanity, 613 civilian Azerbaijanis, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 elders were brutally murdered on grounds of national identity. The Khojaly genocide is one of a series of acts of mass slaughter aiming to crush those who rose up for the defence of their lands from Armenian armed forces’ aggression.

By Naila Huseynova