Western Azerbaijanis reject Armenian compensation claims: Right to return not for sale

The Western Azerbaijan Community has strongly criticized Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan’s recent statements, accusing him of making contradictory claims regarding the right of return for displaced Azerbaijanis.

During a press conference, Mirzoyan asserted that Western Azerbaijanis left their ancestral lands voluntarily while simultaneously referencing compensation — statements that the Azerbaijani community described as inconsistent and misleading.

“Mirzoyan’s claim that Azerbaijanis voluntarily left their homes in the middle of winter contradicts his mention of compensation. Offering compensation inherently acknowledges wrongdoing and damages, which undermines the narrative of voluntary departure,” the community stated in sharp response, Caliber.Az reports.

The community categorically denied allegations that expelled Azerbaijanis received any compensation in exchange for renouncing their right to return. “We firmly reject this false narrative. Regardless of how people are displaced, their right to return is guaranteed under international law,” the statement emphasized.

The Azerbaijani community also condemned attempts by the Armenian government to misrepresent the right of return as a territorial claim. “We reiterate that this issue is not about territorial claims but about restoring the fundamental rights of displaced people,” the statement continued.

Concluding their remarks, the Community of Western Azerbaijan demanded that Armenia cease spreading misinformation and engage in constructive and substantive dialogue to address the matter.

By Tamilla Hasanova