Western Azerbaijan Community denounces Armenia’s continued ethnic hatred, genocide legacy

The Western Azerbaijan Community has issued a statement commemorating the innocent victims of the 1918 genocide, condemning the systematic campaign of ethnic hatred and racist ideology propagated by Armenian political associations, armed groups, and state bodies.

The statement accuses Armenia of committing massacres against Azerbaijanis, forcibly expelling them from their homeland, and methodically destroying their cultural heritage, Caliber.Az reports.

"Armenian political organizations, armed groups, and state institutions have pursued a systematic policy of genocide driven by ethnic hatred and racist ideology. This led to the massacre of Azerbaijanis, their forcible expulsion from their homeland, and the deliberate destruction of their cultural heritage," the statement by the Community says.

The Community emphasized that Armenia, instead of taking responsibility for its past actions and striving for peace, continues to foster ethnic hatred and racism. The glorification of historical figures like Garegin Nzhdeh, Andranik Ozanyan, Drastamat Kanayan, and Monte Melkonyan—individuals accused of committing crimes against humanity and terrorist acts—is cited as an example of Armenia's persistent promotion of harmful ideologies, including Nzhdeism, which is seen as rooted in Nazi-inspired principles.

The statement also criticizes the Armenian government for obstructing the ongoing trial in Azerbaijan regarding war crimes and crimes against humanity, hindering the pursuit of justice and promoting a culture of impunity. Furthermore, the community highlights Armenia’s continued denial of the right of return for Western Azerbaijanis, accusing the Armenian state of seeking to maintain a mono-ethnic society achieved through genocide.

The Community calls on Armenia to recognize its responsibility for the genocide, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes, urging the country to take concrete steps toward peace. 

"We urge the Armenian government to acknowledge its responsibility for the genocide, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity, and war crimes committed, and to take the necessary steps toward peace. Armenia must guarantee the safe and dignified return of exiled Azerbaijanis and restore the destroyed Azerbaijani cultural heritage," the statement notes.

By Vafa Guliyeva