Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia to create government-in-exile

An Azerbaijani opposition party is continuing preparations to form the Community of Western Azerbaijanis and Yerevan government-in-exile.

"We decided to prepare a list of western Azerbaijanis - covering all regions - to establish the government-in-exile of Western Azerbaijan," the Modern Musavat Party said.

According to statistics and archival documents, over 1.5 million Azerbaijanis residing in Armenia were expelled from their historical homelands during the mass deportations of Azerbaijanis from Armenia in the 20th century.

After establishment of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, upon decision of the Armenian Supreme Council, 698 of 940 Azerbaijani settlements were renamed into Armenian names. Renaming the settlements happened also after Azerbaijanis were completely expelled from the republic. All 91 settlements were renamed with Armenian names according to a decree by Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosian dated April 9, 1991.

The party has adopted a decision to launch a campaign to collect signatures to return western Azerbaijanis expelled from their historical homelands to these areas, return their lost property, and achieve their recognition as refugees by international organizations.

/Trend News/