Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 23 / Trend /
An event dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide was held in the Kazakh University of Economy, Finance and International Trade. During this event film of Trend Agency "When words freeze" dedicated to the Khojaly genocide was shown.
The event was attended by the faculty of the University, students, ambassadors of Georgia and Latvia in Astana, as well as employees of the embassies of Ukraine, Belarus and Turkey, representatives of the Kazakhstan People's Assembly, the members of the Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan Association of Friendship and Culture, representatives of the local diaspora and the press, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Kazakhstan told Trend on Thursday.
Ambassador Zakir Hashimov, who opened the event with introductory remarks, informed the participants about the Khojaly tragedy, the aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan. He noted that the Khojaly genocide committed 20 years ago, was the greatest tragedy faced by the people of Azerbaijan. The ambassador said the Khojaly tragedy is the most violent crime in modern history, committed against humanity. Memory of the genocide's victims was observed by a moment of silence.
Then rector of the University Sarsengali Abdymanapov spoke and noted that the Khojaly genocide is a crime committed not only against the Azerbaijani people, but against humanity, and emphasized the importance of its legal and political assessment.
Then, participants were shown a film about the Khojaly genocide "When words freeze," filmed by Trend Agency, and exhibition of books and pictures on the Khojaly tragedy was organized in the foyer.
Extensive information on the website of the campaign "Justice for Khojaly" (www.justiceforkhojaly.org), carried out on the initiative of coordinator for intercultural dialogue of the Youth Forum of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Leyla Aliyeva was presented as well rap "Justice for Khojaly" and the clip.
The participants were handed out literature about Khojaly events, press-releases of the embassy and music CDs "Justice for Khojaly".
The Armenian military forces committed genocide in Khojaly on Feb. 26, 1992. Some 613 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.
