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Seminar on Commemorating 32nd Anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide: Demanding Justice Monday, 26th February 2024 Organised By MUSLIM Institute MUSLIM Institute organized a seminar "Commemorating 32nd Anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide: Demanding Justice" on Monday, February 26, 2024 at National Library, Islamabad. Public Relations Officer of MUSLIM Institute Mr. Asif Tanveer Awan moderated the proceedings. People from different walks of life participate in the seminar.

Remarks by the Speakers Summary of the views shared by Worthy Speakers is as follows:

H.E. Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali Dewan of Junagadh State & Chairman MUSLIM Institute   Not enough can be said about the historical significance of Pakistan’s relationship with Azerbaijan, and vice versa. Our tight-knit relations are a product of centuries old mutual history, culture, customs, religion, geographical vicinity, and common challenges. The Khojaly genocide of 1992 is one such inhumane atrocity that our brothers and sisters in Azerbaijan had to endure at the hands of Armenians. Remembering such atrocious acts against humanity reminds us that even documented records of crimes against humanity and worldwide condemnation against such acts, is not enough to deter humans acting in a similar manner again. The inhumane and illegal acts against humanity by the Israeli forces against helpless Palestinians, or likewise those of Indian forces against innocent Kashmiris, are grim testaments to this fact. Since October 7 last year, more than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli genocidal oppression. In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, Indian forces have massacred around 100,000 Kashmiris in last three and half decades. We have to be more active in generating policy discourse and in engaging decision-makers who can bring about necessary and needed change on the ground in order to avoid atrocities such as Khojaly, Gaza, and Kashmir. H.E. Khazar Farhadove Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan   February 26, 2024, is the 32nd anniversary of the Khojaly genocide committed by the Armenian armed forces against the Azerbaijanis. This bloody tragedy involved the extermination or capture of thousands of Azerbaijanis; the town was razed to the ground. Over the night from 25 to 26 February 1992 the Armenian armed forces occupied Khojaly. Invaders destroyed Khojaly and with particular brutality implemented carnage over its peaceful population. As a result of the Khojaly genocide 5,379 inhabitants of the city were forcefully expelled. 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly citizens, were brutally murdered. 1,275 were captured, taken hostage, and tortured while 487 were injured. The Khojaly massacre and other crimes committed by Armenia in the course of its aggression against the Republic of Azerbaijan, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, constitute serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. These include violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and others. Azerbaijan believes that continuing measures taken at the national level and within the framework of current international law will serve to end impunity and bring those responsible for serious crimes committed to justice.

Prof. Dr. Tughral Yamin Writer & Analyst   Pakistan was one of the first states to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan on Dec 12 1991 and the then Pakistani President Mr Farooq Laghari was the first head of the state who visited Azerbaijan. Pakistan is the only country in the world that does not recognize Armenia. Azerbaijan supports the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue under the resolutions of the UN Security Council. Pakistan and Azerbaijan have very close military ties. Pakistan is now selling JF17 thunder aircraft to Azerbaijan. Today we are commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the Khojaly massacre. It was the same time when another genocide was taking place in Bosnia, Srebrenica where thousands of young Muslim men were killed and many women were raped and there was the mass dislocation of the population. Massacre of Azerbaijani civilians by Armenian forces along with the some troops of the former Soviet in the town of Khojaly, became the largest single massacre throughout the entire Karabakh conflict. Today another genocide is taking place in Gaza right now, started on October 7 last year and it still continues despite fervent appeals by the world at large. The Israelis are not willing to go for a humanitarian cease-fire. Around 30000 Palestinians have been killed more than half of them are women and children. This is not only a crime against humanity but a shame for all of us. Maj. Gen. (R) Khalid Amir Jaffery President CSAIS Institute   At the end of 1991 and at the beginning of 1992 the implementation of Armenian desire of building a state from sea to sea started. The Armenian government wanted to annex the Karabakh, in sheer disregard to international legal norms, demonstrating their reliance to resort to any kind of crimes and barbarism in pursuance of their ideology. The Khojaly genocide is the gravest crime committed against peaceful Azerbaijanis in the course of Armenia's aggressive war against Azerbaijan. The Armenian objective in Khojaly was the liquidation of the strategic hindrance in the form of Azerbaijani residence in the mountainous parts of Karabakh. Another objective was the raising of Khojaly to the ground because Khojaly reflected the history and traditions of Azerbaijan since ancient times, the distinct culture is classified as Khojaly gateway in Azerbaijani history. Destruction of all these material and cultural monuments and Khojaly graveyard, one of the most ancient cemeteries in history, are obvious examples of barbarism and aggression against world culture. By occupying Khojaly, Armenia was aiming to invade the other districts of Karabakh region, take the strategic heights and get favourable opportunities.

H.E. Dr. Mehmet Pacaci Ambassador of Türkiye to Pakistan   Today, we gathered to acknowledge a dark moment in history that has left an indelible mark on the hearts of many. On 26 February 1992, the town of Khojaly fell victim to a brutal attack by Armenian armed forces. These crimes against civilians also inevitably remind us of the massacre of hundreds of thousands of Ottoman citizens in Anatolia and the Caucuses by Armenian radical nationalist armed groups at the beginning of the previous century. It shows that the brutal massacre carried out in Khojaly was a continuation of these previous massacres. The relationship between Türkiye and Azerbaijan has been described as one nation. We are extremely concerned about Israel's attacks targeting children, women in Palestine amounting to historic proportions of massacres. The ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza must be stopped on this occasion. I would also like to mention the resolution of Kashmir issue which is vital for lasting peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia. Senator Waleed Iqbal Grandson of Allama Iqbal   I pay tribute to the 613 martyrs of Khojaly genocide and I condemn the mutilation of dead bodies. I appreciate Türkiye to lead 17 countries to call this massacre a genocide. And I pay them tribute with the New Year Message of Allama Muhammad Iqbal: “The modern age prides itself on its progress in knowledge and its matchless scientific developments. No doubt, the pride is justified. But in spite of all these developments, the tyranny of imperialism struts abroad, covering its face under the masks of Democracy, Nationalism, Communism, Fascism and heaven knows what else besides. Under these masks, in every corner of the earth, the spirit of freedom and the dignity of man are being trampled underfoot in a way to which not even the darkest period of human history presents a parallel… … World will remain a battle-ground of ferocious beasts of prey unless and until the educational forces of the whole world are directed to inculcate in man respect for mankind. Only one unity is dependable, and that unity is the brotherhood of man, which is above race, nationality, colour or language”.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed Chairman, Senate Defence Committee   I am very proud of the fact that Senate of Pakistan was the first to declare officially Khojaly massacre as genocide. We have a very strong commitment to the cause of Karabakh. It was a long history of Armenian aggression and ethnic cleansing against the Azeri population. In October and November 1947, extermination of Muslims in occupied Kashmir was the first massacre after World War II. Then another horrific massacre took place in Rwanda, Africa where one million people were killed in 90 days.   The massacre in Gujarat state of India under Modi was also a genocide. In Rohingya, about 43,000 people have been killed so far. Over a period of time one million people were evicted from their land. According to Genocide Watch, a genocide is in the making in Indian occupied Kashmir and Assam. The most terrifying situation is that now we are witnessing the Gaza massacre, which is the first televised massacre in the history of the world. It’s very important that when we remember Khojaly massacre and genocide, we have to remember that such events should never happen again. Interactive Session International community has double standards for Muslim community and the rest of the world. When conflicts arose in East Timor and South Sudan referendums were held immediately, whereas in Kashmir, Palestine and Karabakh no practical action is taken yet. President Ilham Aliyev acted decisively against Armenia, he said we have UN resolution, there are principles which are in line with the UN charter because Armenia had not just illegally occupied the territory, but also committed crimes against humanity by killing the Azerbaijanis population. Both Pakistan and Türkiye stood firmly with President Ilham Aliyev. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has announced to hold an international conference on Palestine in Istanbul on 26 of April 2024 which is commendable. Heydar Aliyev is considered as the leader of Azerbaijani nation. He changed the constitution of Soviet Azerbaijan. He established the first military school for Azerbaijan's future military cadets. He started industrialization in Azerbaijan which is helping the country to prosper. Political stability and economic development through political reforms proved useful for Azerbaijan to handle the situation. At the end of the program seminar souvenirs were also presented to the speakers.

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