The possibility of returning Azerbaijanis forced to migrate from Armenia was discussed in Baku
The possibility of returning Azerbaijanis forced to migrate from Armenia was discussed in Baku
An international conference on "Historical, cultural and legal foundations of return to West Azerbaijan" was held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
The conference was attended by politicians and experts from Turkey, France, the USA, Israel, Hungary, Serbia and Pakistan.
At the event, which began with the performance of the National Anthem of Azerbaijan and a minute of silence in memory of dignitaries and martyrs, the possibilities of returning to the homeland of the ancestors of Azerbaijanis forced to migrate from Armenia were discussed.
Aziz Alekperly, the head of the Gharbi Azerbaijan Ijma (West Azerbaijani Community), which was formed by Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia during the Soviet Union, said that in the last 200 years, a policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide has been carried out against Turks in Western Azerbaijan, which is now the territory of Armenia.
Recalling that about 300,000 Azerbaijanis were forced to migrate from 277 settlements in Armenia when the Karabakh conflict began, Alakberli said: "They erased our cultural values and traces of Azerbaijanis. They either Armenized our historical monuments or completely destroyed them. In this regard, we have contacted international institutions and UNESCO. UNESCO should send a mission to Armenia to clarify the status of historical monuments of Azerbaijanis. The UN called on Armenia on this issue. The Yerevan administration has not yet responded to this."
Stating that they have prepared a legal concept for the return of Azerbaijanis forced to migrate from Armenia, Alakberli said: "We want to return peacefully, provided that the security of our people is provided with dignity. It is our legitimate right to return to the homeland of our ancestors. No one can say no to this. The peace treaty to be signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan should also include articles on the situation of Western Azerbaijanis."
Former ambassador of the Turkish Chamber of Commerce and deputy of the Turkish Association Hulusi Kilic said that Turks who were forced to migrate from Western Azerbaijan, which is now located within the borders of Armenia, have the right to return to their homeland.
Kilic stated that the Azerbaijani Turks were forced to migrate from Armenia, their property was confiscated, and the world was silent about it, and said: "The last Azerbaijani Turk was forcibly removed from Western Azerbaijan in 1988. This is, in fact, a murder and a crime of the state. Today, the defenders of Armenia turn a blind eye to this. Yerevan and Zangezur are the historical homeland of Turkey. The Turkish names have been changed there. We want to draw the attention of the international community to this issue. We will not remain silent in the face of this universal murder. Armenia must provide security guarantees to Azerbaijanis who were forced to migrate so that they can return."
Stressing that as Turkey, they will henceforth support Azerbaijan, as they have done so far, Kilic said: "The West should know that the Azerbaijani Turks are not alone. I believe that the Azerbaijani Turks will return to their historical lands. I demand justice from the world for the Turks of Western Azerbaijan."
The conference continued with presentations by experts.