Baku, February 26, AZERTAC

The EU Today portal has published an article headlined “Justice for Khojaly: Essential Element for Peace between Baku and Yerevan” by Anastasia Lavrina, Azerbaijani political analyst, researcher at the Institute for Development and Diplomacy of ADA University, highlighting the Khojaly genocide, one of the darkest chapter of the Azerbaijani history.

“For true peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, there must be an acknowledgment of past injustices. Recognising the Khojaly genocide and ensuring justice for the victims would help heal historical wounds and build trust between the two nations. Without this essential step, peace efforts remain fragile, and the risk of renewed conflict persists,” the article said.

“Recognizing historical injustices is crucial for promoting peace and stability between nations. One such tragedy that demands international acknowledgment is the Khojaly genocide — the darkest chapter in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.

As Azerbaijan commemorates the 33rd anniversary of this horrific event on February 26th, 2025, the global community must reaffirm its commitment to truth, justice, and the prevention of future atrocities,” the author emphasized.

“On the night of February 25-26th, 1992, Armenian armed forces launched a brutal attack on the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. According to official reports, 613 civilians, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly people, were brutally killed. Many were executed at close range, while others froze to death while trying to escape. Survivors recall harrowing stories of families being massacred, civilians burned alive, and captives subjected to inhumane torture,” the political analyst said.

“Despite overwhelming evidence, Armenia has continued to deny responsibility for the Khojaly genocide. However, some Armenian officials have openly admitted to the strategic use of mass violence. In an interview, Serzh Sargsyan, a military commander at the time and later Armenia’s president, chillingly stated:

“Before Khojaly, the Azerbaijanis thought that … the Armenians were people who could not raise their hand against the civilian population. We were able to break that [stereotype].”

This statement underscores the deliberate and calculated nature of the crime. Yet, more than three decades later, justice remains elusive, and those responsible have not been held accountable,” Lavrina underscored.

According to her, the Khojaly genocide is not merely a tragic event of the past; it remains a critical human rights issue that must be addressed for lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

“Under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the deliberate killing of Azerbaijani civilians in Khojaly meets the legal definition of genocide. International recognition is not just a moral imperative but a necessary step toward ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated,” the author noted.

“To honour the victims and reaffirm Azerbaijan’s commitment to justice, President Ilham Aliyev signed an order on February 25, 2025, to establish the Khojaly Genocide Memorial Complex in the town of Khojaly. This initiative stands as a powerful testament that truth cannot be silenced and that accountability must be pursued.

Acknowledging the truth is not only about remembering the past—it is about shaping a future free from hatred, impunity, and violence. Only through recognition, accountability, and reconciliation can the South Caucasus move toward lasting peace and stability,” Lavrina concluded.