Statement by Azerbaijan Human Rights Commissioner on 19th anniversary of occupation of Shusha, Lachin and Kalbajar

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of the Republic of Azerbaijan made a statement concerning the 19th anniversary of the occupation of Shusha, Lachin and Kalbajar regions of Azerbaijan.

The Statement was addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, OSCE, the Council of Europe, the European Commission, International Ombudsmen Institute, European Ombudsman Institute, Association of Asian Ombudsmen, International Peace Bureau, Universal Peace Federation, Ombudsmen of different countries, Embassies of Azerbaijan abroad, as well as the foreign Embassies in Azerbaijan and organizations of Azerbaijani Diaspora.

The statement says: "As a result of over 20 years long Armenian military aggression against Azerbaijan, 20.000 Azerbaijanis were killed, 50.000 were wounded, became disabled, 4.500 people went missing, women, children and the aged were subjected to merciless torture, became prisoners or were taken hostages, 1 million Azerbaijanis became refugees, about 1000 settlements were destroyed. Also seven surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh regions - Lachin, Kalbajar, Agdam, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli and Jabrail were occupied by Armenian armed forces".

The document also runs: "19 years have elapsed since the occupation of Shusha, the historical cradle of culture of Azerbaijan, and Lachin, following the aggression policy of Armenia against Azerbaijan that resulted in gross violation of the norms and principles of the International Law… Shusha, that was occupied by Armenian armed forces on May 8, 1992, was at that time populated with 24,900 inhabitants lived on 289 square km area. During the occupation of Shusha city 193 persons of were killed, 102 persons became disabled".

According to the statement, 19 years have passed also since the occupation of Lachin and Kalbajar regions of Azerbaijan by the Armenian armed forces. The Armenian army seized Lachin region on May 18, 1992. The occupation of Lachin and Kalbajar also caused serious damage to then Azerbaijan`s economy.


/AzerTAc/