Azerbaijan, Baku /corr. Trend I.Alizade / The decision to recognize the genocides was not made by separate States, but the International Court on Human Rights and therefore, the Turkish Parliament can not recognize as genocide the mass massacre in Azerbaijan's district of Khojali, said the Chairman of the Turkish-Azerbaijani Parliamentary Friendly Group, MP from Turkey ruling Justice and Development Party, Khaluk Ipek, on 27 September in Baku.
"We will not forget and will not allow the international community to forget the Khojali tragedy. According to the Convention, supported by the countries worldwide, including Turkey, the Parliaments have not the authority to make a decision regarding the genocides and accuse other nation. It is in disposal of the International Court on Human Rights," Ipek said.
According to the Turkish parliamentarian, this issue has been raised to damage the Azerbaijani-Turkish relations. "It is impossible to allow it. Supporting Azerbaijan is the State policy of Turkey," he said.
Ipek stressed that on the eve of the anniversary of the Khojali tragedy, at the end of February, hearings will take place in the Turkish Parliament with regards to the Khojali tragedy.
The conflict between the two countries of South Caucasus began in 1988 due to territorial claims by Armenia against Azerbaijan. Armenia has occupied 20% of the Azerbaijani land including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding Districts. Since 1992, these territories have been under the occupation of the Armenian Forces. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time the active hostilities ended. The Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France and USA) are currently holding peaceful negotiations.
In night from 25 to 26 February 1992, through the assistance of the Russian 366th regiment, the Armenian armed forces committed genocide in Khojali. Hundreds of the Azerbaijani civilians lost their live in the genocide. Moreover, thousands of people injured and many still missing.