Azerbaijani MP speaks about Khojaly tragedy in PACE Winter Session
Strasburg, January 29 (AZERTAC). Azerbaijani MP Ganira Pashayeva spoke of the Khojaly tragedy on the second day of the Winter Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
During discussions around a report developed by British MP David Davies over fight against racism, Pashayeva described the issue as a vital for security and future of Europe and the whole world. The parliamentarian said member states should strengthen efforts to prevent racism, hatred and religious intolerance.
Pashayeva said: “I am a citizen of the country which suffers from these cases. As a result of religious intolerance and hatred of Armenian young generation, hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis have been forcibly expelled from their native lands in Armenia. Then Armenian armed forces have occupied territories of Azerbaijan, killed over 20 thousand Azerbaijanis and committed the Kohojaly genocide. For more than 20 years, over one million Azerbaijanis have lived as refugees and IDPs. Despite resolutions of international organizations, including the PACE, Armenia does not allow them to return to their homelands.”
“Instead of fulfilling the resolution of the Council of Europe, the Armenian delegation spreads disinformation in the PACE. Armenian MP Naira Zohrabyan has lied and slandered Azerbaijan and its President. These are far from the truth. Despite the policy of aggression by Armenia against Azerbaijan, every European parliamentarian visiting Azerbaijan can see and talk to thousands of Armenians living in the country. They can tell you a real truth. But what is the situation in Armenia? Today you can not find even one Azerbaijani in Armenia because all Azerbaijanis have been expelled from there. Unfortunately, our colleagues from Armenia spread incorrect information and therefore cause increasing tension. As a representative of the country suffering from those cases, I support all issues reflected in the report and call everybody to be more sensible in this regard.”
Pashayeva said: “I want to note that Azerbaijan, where people of different religions, nationalities, and ethnic origins live in peace, carries out serious work by means of media and education to strengthen tolerance. Because we realize that societies having racism and religious intolerance will undoubtedly face serious problems and tragedies. COE member countries must keep this question under control. We must strengthen our efforts to prevent negative tendencies wherever they occur.”
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