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Int'l parliaments must recognize Khojali Genocide: Azerbaijani MP

Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict Materials 17 February 2009 16:12 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 17/ Trend , J. Babayeva/

An Azerbaijani member of the parliament said foreign governments must be encouraged to recognize the Khojali Genocide. 

"We must not think that since 17 years have passed and the Khojali Genocide has not been recognized there is no reason to keep trying. The process will take a long time," member of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE and MP Ganira Pashayeva told Trend .

On the night of February 25, 1992, Armenian separatists seized the Khojali settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh. Russian tanks played an active role in capturing the area.

Within hours, over 600 unarmed Azerbaijani citizens were killed. Among them were 106 women and 83 children. The massacre continued for days, while the Armenian separatists killed their hostages and cut the heads off of Azerbaijani military personnel. A total of 487 people were left disabled and 1,275 people were taken prisoner. The fate of 150 people remains unknown.

The Azerbaijani government is considering pressing a lawsuit against Armenia at the International Criminal Court, Presidential Administration's Public and Political Department head Ali Hasanov told Trend earlier.

Pashayeva said Armenians have campaigned their alleged genocide for years.

"The Khojali Genocide was committed in the present day. It was witnessed by the entire world. We should take steps for as long as it take to have the genocide recognized worldwide," she said.

She said the international community must be informed about the Khojali Genocide.

"Both Azerbaijan and its diaspora organizations must take efforts in this regard. We can work harder in in countries that have stronger Azerbaijani diaspora organizations," she said.

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