STATEMENT
OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (OMBUDSMAN)
OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
ON THE OCCASION OF 8 MAY,
THE DAY OF OCCUPATION OF SHUSHA

Sixteen years passed since occupation of Shusha city - Azerbaijan's historical cradle of culture, which formed a part of the policy of aggression pursued by Armenia and resulted in gross violation of the norms and principles of International Law.

Tragedies faced by our people as a result of the policies of genocide, deportation and aggression of Armenians and their supporters have rooted deeply into the layers of history.

Only during the last century, this offensive policy against our people resulted in loss by Azerbaijanis of their native lands of Iravan, Goycha and Zangezur, and exposure, for four times (1905-1907, 1918-1920, 1948-1953, 1988-1993), of the population of Azerbaijan to gross violation of human rights and freedoms by Armenian nationalists, as well as to ethnic cleansing and deportation accompanied by inhuman and degrading treatment.

Republic of Armenia, which has not been exposed to any sanctions at international level for committed crimes, continuing its policy of aggression occupied Azerbaijani territories and committed numerous acts massively violating human rights.

In 1988-1994 Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions which are an integral part of Azerbaijan were occupied by the Armenian armed forces.

According to the Resolution on Definition of Aggression adopted by the UN General Assembly on 14 December 1974, aggression is the use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations, and no consideration of whatever nature, whether political, economic, military or otherwise, may serve as a justification for aggression. A war of aggression, being a crime against international peace, gives rise to international responsibility. No territorial acquisition or special advantage resulting from aggression is or shall be recognised as lawful.

Territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and its undeniable jurisdiction over the territory of Nagorno Karabakh has been recognised by the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe and other international organisations, as well as states. However, the Republic of Armenia does not will to comply with the norms of the International Law and ignores the opinions expressed by the international community. In spite of the previous four UN Security Council Resolutions on unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, as well as the UN General Assembly Resolution on "The situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan" adopted on 14 March 2008 Armenia does not leave the occupied territories.

On 8 May 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha - the integral part of Azerbaijan and the historical cradle of culture of our people. Population of Shusha, which covered the territory of 289 square km, was 24,900 at the time of occupation. During the occupation of Shusha 193 people were killed, and 102 - disabled; 27 industrial and construction units, 103 cultural objects, 31 towns, settlements and villages, 249 historical monuments and museums, 17 historical memorials were destroyed, burned and looted. The property of Shusha Historical Museum consisting of about five thousands of exhibits, the local branch of State Museum of carpets and national fine arts, State Historical Museum of Karabakh disposing about a thousand of exhibits, as well as the Agoglan temple in Lachin district, the Azikh cave - an archeological site of a world-wide importance, Asgaran castle in Khojali district, the unique exhibits of Kalbajar Historical Museum were destroyed and plundered.

Tragic results of aggression of the Republic of Armenia against Azerbaijan are not limited to occupation of Azerbaijani territory, and more than one million refugees and IDPs. Policy of terror and genocide raised at the level of Armenian state policy against Azerbaijani people has affected heavily Azerbaijani history, culture and values of religious belief.

Republic of Armenia, while violating provisions of international standard setting documents, continues to openly loot and destroy Azerbaijan's cultural wealth. Thus, more than 100.000 cultural monuments were destroyed or captured, as well as more than 500 cultural and 100 archaeological monuments and 22 museums were ruined on the occupied territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Apart from material cultural monuments, Armenian nationalists misappropriate folklore, music, literature of Azerbaijani people, thus, extending occupation policies even to the level of cultural values.

Armenian nationalists ignoring any law or moral values and benefiting from the environment of impunity intensified moral terror against Azerbaijani culture. As a result of this Armenian nationalists started archaeological excavations in 200 graves related to the Bronze Age and located around the Shusha - cultural cradle of Azerbaijan - having, thus, demonstrated again their disrespect towards the norms of the International Law.

On the occupied territories of Azerbaijan the Armenians destroy and steal the tombstones, pilfer even the marble gravestones. In the occupied zone the forests and natural sites are being destroyed, the rare platan trees are being cut down.

As the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I declare, that violation, by the Republic of Armenia and Armenian nationalists of the Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, occupation of its territory, destroying and misappropriation of its historical and cultural wealth, violation of cultural rights of people absolutely contravene the universal norms and principles of the International Law.

I call upon the international community, international organisations and people of the world to help to stop the long-lasting Armenian aggression and genocide conducted against Azerbaijani people, as well as to support peaceful solution of this painful conflict through the negotiation process. I hope that the occupied lands will be liberated, hundreds of thousands of refugees and IDPs will return to their homes, and their violated rights and freedoms will be restored.

Prof. Elmira Suleymanova Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

8 May 2008