Statement by the Commisioner for Human Rights(OMBUDSMAN) of the the Republic of Azrbaijan on the occasion of 8 May, the day of occupation of Shusha

As a result of over 20 years long Armenian military aggression against Azerbaijan, 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed, 50,000 were wounded, became disabled being subjected to different injuries, 4,500 women, children, the aged went missing, were subjected to merciless torture, became prisoners or were taken hostages, and one million Azerbaijanis became refugees and IDPs, about 1000 settlements were destroyed. Nagorno- Karabakh that is an integral part and eternal land of Azerbaijan also seven surrounding rayons - Lachin, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli and Jabrail were occupied by Armenian armed forces. In general 17,000 square km of the most fertile soil area was captured.

Eighteen years passed since the occupation of Shusha city, the historical cradle of culture of Azerbaijan and it was only a part of the aggression policy of Armenia against Azerbaijan that resulted in gross violation of the norms and principles of the International Law.

At that time 24,900 inhabitants lived on 289 square km area of Shusha city that was occupied by Armenian armed forces on May 8, 1992. During the occupation of Shusha city 193 persons of were killed, 102 persons became disabled.

About five thousands of exhibits of Shusha Historical Museum, the local branch of State Museum of carpets and national fine arts, State Historical Museum of Karabakh as well as the Agoglan temple in Lachin district, the Azikh cave - an archeological monument of a world-wide importance, Asgaran castle in Khojali district, the unique exponents of the Kalbajar Historical Museum, art galleries were destroyed, holy temples and mosques were outraged, libraries were burnt, rare manuscript samples were ruined. So, the evidence of Armenian vandalism is not only their inhuman treatment to people, but also in merciless attitude to monuments. Thus, in Shusha the Armenians nearby the gross moral -psychological, shot not only at people, but also fired and destroyed the monuments that are the pearls, samples of the world culture as well as the monuments of worldwide known Azerbaijani artists.

Tragic results of this aggression are not limited to occupation of Azerbaijani territory. Policy of terror and genocide raised at the level of Armenian state policy against Azerbaijani people has affected hardly Azerbaijani history, culture, religious monuments, toponims and other values.

The Republic of Armenia, while violating provisions of international documents, continue to loot and destroy Azerbaijan's cultural wealth in front of the eyes of the world. Thus, more than 100.000 cultural monuments were destroyed, 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.

Besides the material cultural monuments, Armenian nationalists regularly and systematically misappropriate the Azerbaijani folklore, music, literature, and examples of different cultural heritage thus, extend the occupation policies up to the level of cultural values. Appeal in this regard was addressed to the International Organization of Intellectual Property.

Armenian nationalists ignoring any law and moral values and benefiting from the environment of impunity intensify moral terror against Azerbaijani culture, they have started archaeological excavation in hundreds of caves, related to the Bronze Age, around the Shusha and, thus, demonstrate once again irrespective to the norms of international law

They destroy the graves, even plunder the marble stones and tombstones On the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The forests and natural reservations are being plundered; the rare plane groves were destroyed, hewed down and taken out of the country.

Unfortunately, the policy of terrorism and aggression of Armenian nationalists is being conducted in front of the eyes of the international community for years. Whereas, according to the norms of international law, inviolability of state borders should be respected, and violation of territorial integrity and sovereignty is inadmissible.

Territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and its jurisdiction over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh was approved many times by the UN, OSCE, the Council of Europe, as well as other influential international organizations and all states. However, the Republic of Armenia neglects the norms of the International Law and ignores the opinions expressed by the international community. In spite of adoption of four UN Security Council Resolutions ? 822, 853, 874 and 884 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" dated March 14, 2008, the Resolution No. 1416 and Recommendation No.1690 of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) confirmed the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by the Armenian military forces, and governing of Nagorno-Karabakh by separatists, Armenia does not leave the occupied territories.

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 eternal lands, destruction and misappropriation of its historical and cultural wealth, mass violation of human rights, as well as cultural rights fully contravene the universal norms and principles of the International Law.

Considering the abovementioned facts, calling to the world community, influential international organisations, we believe that the long-lasting Armenian aggression and terror policy conducted against Azerbaijani people, gross violation of human rights will be put to an end, the support in peaceful solution of this conflict through the negotiation process will be provided, the occupied territories will be returned, hundred thousands of refugees and IDPs will be repatriated to their lands, their rights will be restored.

The Armenian terrorists and their supporters should be soon brought to criminal responsibility. The efforts of international institutions targeted at resolution of this conflict should be realized without double standards, in full compliance with norms and principles of international Law; Armenia that became monoethnic state should implement the provisions of international documents adopted in connection with this conflict to stop the aggressive policy, policy of occupation, ethnic cleansing, territorial claims; Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, the violated rights of refugees and IDPs should be restored and they should return to their home lands, captives and hostages should be set free, competent international organizations should impose sanctions on Armenia.

Prof. Elmira Suleymanova, Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 06.05. 2010.