Azerbaijan , Baku, Feb. 26 / Trend T. Hajiyev /
The Civil Society Forum of the Turkic peoples urged international organizations to recognize Khojaly tragedy as the act of genocide. The f orum sent a statement to the UN, UN Secretary General, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Commission, Council of Europe, OSCE, International Peace Bureau, World Youth Assembly, Parliaments of the Turkic countries and their embassies in Azerbaijan .
The representatives of civil societ ies of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan joined the statement .
Despite witnesses, photographs and video materials confirming that the act of genocide was committed in Khojaly, international organizations have not given a legal assessment of these events yet. It is regarded as the indifference of these organizations and an example of double standards, the statement said.
"International organizations must restore the violated rights of these people and facilitate their returning h ome, make serious actions to release prisoners of war and hostages, as well as correct their mistake . They must recognize that these events are a manifestation of the ruthless genocide . It is a crime against humanity , " a statement said .
The Armenian military forces committed genocide in Khojaly on Feb. 26, 1992. More than 600 people were killed, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old men. A total of 1,000 civilians were disabled during the genocide. Eight families were annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, and 25 lost both. Additionally, 1,275 peaceful residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 remains unknown.