PACE ADOPTS DECLARATION ON 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF AZERBAIJANI DEPORTATIONS FROM ARMENIA
TREND
Jan 28 2009
Azerbaijan
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) distributed
a written declaration on the 60th anniversary of the Azerbaijani
deportations from Armenia.
"The repatriation rights of all peoples deported under Stalin’s regime
have been recognized," Azerbaijani PACE delegation member Ganira
Pashayeva wrote in the declaration on Jan. 28. "But so far Armenia
has not recognized the repatriation rights of the Azerbaijanis who
were deported from Armenia in 1948-1953. For 60 years Armenia has
violated their basic rights."
Azerbaijanis were deported from Armenia in four stages – in 1948,
1956, 1987 and 1988.
According to archive documents, over 1.5 million Azerbaijanis were
evicted from their homes in areas, which are today recognized as
Armenian territory.
The names of 698 of 940 Azerbaijani settlements were changed after
the Armenian Soviet Republic was established. The names of the last
91 Azerbaijani settlements were changed after an order by former
Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan on April 9, 1991.
Over 20 members of parliament in the UK, Germany, Turkey, Latvia,
Estonia, Bulgaria and Albania signed the declaration and recognized
the document.
"Yerevan continues to violate the rights of 150,000 deported
Azerbaijanis by refusing to recognize and provide them with their
repatriation rights. All peoples have been given these rights except
Azerbaijanis. Only they are still deprived of them," the document said.
In 1988 Armenia pursued a mono-ethnic policy and deported all
Azerbaijanis from the country. A total of 300,000 Azerbaijanis were
forcedly deported from their homes.
The declaration said PACE, which considers protecting human rights to
be a priority, as well as member nations, condemn the crimes committed
against the Azerbaijanis.
The Council of Europe also urges member nations to use strict influence
and pressure to force Armenia to recognize and provide the deported
Azerbaijanis with their basic rights.