Western Azerbaijan Community urges Armenia to guarantee its reintegration

Aziz Alakbarli, chairman of the Western Azerbaijan Community has urged Armenia to guarantee the community’s reintegration

“Armenian government must guarantee the protection of our rights and our reintegration,” Alakbarli said while addressing an event titled "World Refugee Day and the problem of refugees in Azerbaijan" on June 20, APA reports.

"Despite our constant efforts for dialogue, the Armenian side is avoiding the process, and avoidance is hindering the advancement of the process," the community chairman added.

Alakbarli once again addressed the international community: "At the same time, the realization of our human rights-based goal depends on the political and practical support of the international community. We appreciate the support given to us in this direction.

The expulsion of Azerbaijanis from Armenia, where they had a significant presence, was a long and painful process, characterized by systematic efforts by state authorities to employ violence, perpetrate massacres, and commit other crimes against humanity and human rights violations. This violent and cruel process has recurred throughout history, notably during the periods of 1905-06, 1918-21, 1948-53, and 1987-91. As a result, today there is no single Azerbaijani left in Armenia.

Armenia systematically destroyed Azerbaijani graveyards, cultural and religious sites. Ethnic cleansing has also had a profound negative impact on the intangible cultural heritage. The Azerbaijani traditions, customs, way of life and social ties have been disrupted, the community stated earlier.