Three U.S. Congressman for the recognition of Khojaly genocide

On 25 February at a meeting of the House of Representatives of the U.S. three congressmen called for their colleagues to recognize and condemn the mass killings of Azerbaijanis in Khojaly on 25-26 February 1992.

Congressman Gene Green of Texas said it is necessary to remember the massacre in Khojaly, where in 12 hours 613 people were killed, including 106 women and 63 children.

“Despite the shocking nature of these events, remembrance of the Khojaly Massacre has become nearly forgotten outside Azerbaijan's borders. This is unconscionable for our country, which has always fought to safeguard the human rights of all people.

In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Azerbaijan shared in our grief and pledged to stand by the United States as we brought the perpetrators to justice.

True to their word, Azerbaijan has supported allied efforts against international terrorism by allowing unrestricted access to their territory for aircraft, troops, and supplies, as well as committing their own troops to fight alongside our own.

Just as Azerbaijan has supported our nation in its time of need, so too must we not let the massacre of the 613 Azerbaijani men, women, and children drift into the dim memory of history.

I urge my colleagues to commemorate this terrible tragedy and continue our nation's support for the people of Azerbaijan , our partners in peace and prosperity for the Caspian Region,” he said. 

Congresswoman Virginia Fox of North Carolina noted that Azerbaijan is a reliable friend and a valuable ally of the U.S. 

“Azerbaijan has been a reliable friend and valuable ally of the United States in a turbulent region. In this true spirit of friendship, it seems appropriate for Congress to commemorate the victims of the Khojaly tragedy as Azerbaijani people mark the 21st anniversary of this event.

The town of Khojaly is located in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and was home to some 7,000 Azerbaijani citizens during the Armenian-Azerbaijani war. On February 25 and 26 of 1992, in a period of less than 12 hours, 613 citizens, including women and children, died at the hands of Armenian forces and Russian military troops.

Human rights organizations described the advancing forces as having committed unconscionable acts of violence against civilians as they fled. The bodies of fallen men, women and children were observed by foreign journalists who visited the region in the wake of the tragedy. Given our deepening ties with Azerbaijan , it is important for American citizens to remember this event.

Twenty-one years later, the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict has not yet been fully resolved. The anniversary of this horrible tragedy is an appropriate time to honor the victims of these atrocities and reflect on the need for all parties to work together to bring a swift end to this conflict. I urge my colleagues to join me in standing with Azerbaijanis as they commemorate this tragedy,” sher said. 

Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio said that joins his colleagues and people around the world in recognition of the tragedy known as the Khojaly genocide.

“The attack resulted in the massacre of 613 Azerbaijani civilians and is one of the most devastating acts of violence in the South Caucasus in recent history. According to some accounts, the fate of 150 Khojaly inhabitants is still unknown, even after twenty-one years,” he noted.  -06D-