Rights of Azerbaijanis deported from Armenia must be recognized: MP

Pashayeva said 60 years have passed since Azerbaijanis were deported from Armenian in 1948-53.

"Azerbaijanis were deported from their own lands. The repatriation rights of nations deported during the Soviet period were recognized. So far, only the rights of Azerbaijanis deported from Armenia have not been recognized. This is unfair," she said.

Pashayeva said the issue must be included in the agenda of the next parliamentary meeting.

"This must be in the agenda. The parliament can hold meetings with international organizations on the issue," she said.

"An address must be sent to international organizations," Pashayeva added.

The parliament must specify directions of activity, she said.

"I believe that parliament will speed up the process and bring the issue to the attention of the international community," Pashayeva added.

Azerbaijanis were deported from Armenia in four stages - in 1948, 1956, 1987 and 1988. According to archive documents, over 1.5 million Azerbaijanis were evicted from their historical lands, which are today recognized as Armenian territory. The names of 698 Azerbaijani settlements were changed shortly after the Armenian Soviet Republic was established. An additional 91 Azerbaijani settlements were renamed after a presidential decree on April 9, 1991.

/Trend News/