The Voice of Mirza Xazar

Britain has become the first European state to officially and publicly acknowledge and commemorate victims of the 1992 massacre at Khodjaly.

Britain has become the first European state to officially and publicly acknowledge and commemorate victims of the 1992 massacre at Khodjaly. Over 600 Azerbaijani civilians were brutally murdered when Armenian forces overran the Azeri-populated town of Khodjaly in Nagorno-Karabakh. In a letter to Vatan Society of 24 February 2005, Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office stated the following: “What happened at Khodjaly stands out as an appalling tragedy in a list of many that occurred during the course of the war. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and our assurance that their suffering will not be forgotten”. The Foreign Office stressed that UK is deeply aware of the horrific incidents that took place during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and underlined the fact that “the suffering continues for the families of those who died and for the many thousands of people displaced from their homes”. The Foreign Office reiterated Britain’s support for the OSCE Minsk Group peace process and appealed to the governments of Azerbaijan and Armenia “to look to the future and build a better relationship between their countries, to ensure that such atrocities never happen again.” The statement came in response to Vatan Society's Khodjaly Appeal issued last month as part of the Society’s Karabakh Campaign, which aims to promote knowledge and spread information about the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan. Vatan Society seeks to gain British and wider international recognition of Armenian aggression and campaigns for unconditional liberation of all Azerbaijani territories occupied by the Armenian Republic. The Foreign Office statement is a major step forward towards international recognition of the brutality of Armenian occupation and is a product of intensive campaigning on the part of Vatan, Azerbaijan Development Society. Vatan Society appeals to Azerbaijani Diaspora and the civil society in the Republic to mobilise their efforts in the struggle for liberation of the occupied territories. Liberation of Karabakh is a national priority for all Azerbaijanis and the entire nation should be united in this Great Struggle. At this stage the Society awaits a response from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to the letter of 8th of February, detailing concerns over PACE Karabakh rapporteur, David Atkinson’s controversial vice-chairmanship of Christian Solidarity Worldwide - generally an anti-Azerbaijani organisation. Vatan Society believes that a conflict of interest exists that prevents Mr Atkinson from carrying out his responsibilities in an objective and unbiased manner. Vatan Society will hold a demonstration outside the Armenian Embassy in London on 26 February, which will be the culmination of a week of campaigning and events to mark the 13th anniversary of Khodjaly Massacre. Vatan Society will continue the Karabakh Campaign with events and actions planned for the remainder of the year. Vatan Society expresses its deep condolences to the innocent victims of Khodjaly Massacre and their families. We pay tribute to the brave soldiers of Azerbaijan armed forces who laid down their lives in defence of the town in the face of overwhelming and brutal enemy force. Sacrifices made by our fellow Azerbaijanis in pursuit of our national freedom and in defence of our motherland will never be forgotten. Vatan, Azerbaijan Development Society London, 25 February 2005