The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, has issued a statement regarding September 27 – Remembrance Day.
“Elchi” presents the statement:
“Four years have passed since the Patriotic War, which began on September 27, 2020. This day is not only a significant turning point in the history of the Azerbaijani people but also holds special importance in terms of addressing the severe humanitarian consequences caused by the conflict, bringing to justice those who committed war crimes that led to human casualties, and restoring rights that had been violated for many years.
As a result of the Patriotic War, a new stage has begun in the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, as well as the fundamental rights of people who were displaced from their native lands for many years.
During the war, the harm caused to the life and health of the civilian population, as well as the destruction of settlements and social infrastructure, led to serious humanitarian consequences. These events once again demonstrate that the heaviest burden of armed conflicts is borne by civilians, and the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, as well as the guarantee of the right to life, must always be kept in focus.
During the Patriotic War, the shelling of densely populated residential areas of Azerbaijan by the Armenian armed forces, particularly Ganja, Barda, Naftalan, Tartar, and other cities and regions, using heavy artillery and long-range missile systems prohibited by international law, resulted in civilian casualties and injuries, and caused serious damage to residential houses, social, educational, healthcare, religious, and other civilian facilities. These facts were documented in reports prepared as a result of fact-finding missions carried out by the Azerbaijani Ombudsman during that period.
It is of great importance to objectively and comprehensively investigate the facts regarding the violation of international law requirements related to the targeting of civilians and civilian objects, and to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable in accordance with national legislation and international law norms. Preventing impunity for those who commit such acts is essential for the protection of human rights and for ensuring that similar situations do not recur in the future.
As the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I believe that the restoration of human rights violated as a result of war and conflict, determining the fate of missing persons, clearing territories contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance, and ensuring the safe and dignified return of former internally displaced persons to their native lands are among the main humanitarian priorities of the post-conflict period.
In this regard, the implementation of large-scale restoration and construction work in the liberated territories, the return of people to their native lands, and the reliable guarantee of all their fundamental rights make a significant contribution to strengthening peace and sustainable development.
Significant results achieved in advancing the peace agenda and finalizing a peace treaty between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia are of special importance for the future of the region as a whole. This process creates new opportunities for strengthening sustainable and long-term peace, stability, security, and mutual cooperation.
In this context, preserving the achieved peace opportunities and transforming them into lasting peace places a significant responsibility on international organizations, the world community, states, national human rights institutions, and civil society.
September 27 is remembered not only as the day when large-scale counter-offensive operations began, putting an end to the policy of aggression, occupation, and provocation carried out against our republic and people for many years, but also as a day that demonstrated the power of our state, our army, which won under the leadership of the President of the country, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Mr. Ilham Aliyev, and our people, who showed a true example of patriotism even in the most difficult days.
Respectfully honoring the dear memory of our compatriots who rose to the peak of martyrdom for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our Motherland, I wish patience to their families and wish a healthy and prosperous future to all war participants and those affected by the war.
I believe that the greatest tribute to the memory of our martyrs is to ensure that future generations live in conditions of peace, security, and prosperity, far from war and violence. I wish that the moral heritage and memory left to us after Remembrance Day, which is written into our history with heavy and honorable memories, will bring peace and tranquility to our country and people, and solid and lasting peace, a life without war, safety, and progressive development to our region.”