Armenia Rejects Azerbaijan's Demand to Recognize Khojaly Massacre

Arthur Hovhannisyan, Secretary of the ruling Civil Contract party in Armenia, has firmly responded to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's demand that Armenia recognize the Khojaly massacre. Hovhannisyan stated that the issue is not up for discussion, signaling Armenia's refusal to acknowledge the 1992 tragedy as a genocide.

President Ilham Aliyev made the demand during a meeting with relocated residents in Khojaly, Karabakh, on May 28, 2024, which coincided with Azerbaijan's Independence Day. The Azerbaijani government has recently completed the second phase of relocating former Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Khojaly, with 44 families, comprising 169 individuals, now permanently resettled in the area.

The Khojaly massacre, which occurred in 1992 during the full-scale war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, resulted in the deaths of 613 ethnic Azerbaijanis, including 106 women, 63 children, and 70 elderly individuals. Khojaly was under Armenian control for three decades until its liberation in 2023. The massacre is considered a crime against humanity and a genocide by Azerbaijan.

On February 26, 2024, President Aliyev laid the foundation stone for the Khojaly Genocide Memorial, further underscoring Azerbaijan's commitment to commemorating the victims and seeking recognition of the massacre. During his recent address, Aliyev emphasized the suffering of Khojaly residents, stating, "The residents of Khojaly were scattered in various places and had to spend their years of independence separate from Khojaly. Just four months after the declaration of independence, Armenia committed the Khojaly genocide, killing innocent people and committing a crime against humanity."

Why this matters: The recognition of historical events like the Khojaly massacre has significant implications for international relations and regional stability. Failure to acknowledge such events can lead to ongoing tensions and conflict between nations.

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has a long history, with the most recent escalation occurring in 2020. This conflict resulted in Azerbaijan regaining control of over 300 settlements, including cities, previously occupied by Armenian forces. The war concluded with a tripartite statement signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia, leading to the return of occupied districts to Azerbaijan.

Hovhannisyan's rejection of Aliyev's demand highlights the ongoing tensions between the two nations, despite recent efforts to stabilize the region. The recognition of historical events like the Khojaly massacre remains a deeply contentious issue, reflecting the broader complexities of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.

The situation continues to evolve, the international community will closely monitor the dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, hoping for a resolution that acknowledges the past while paving the way for a peaceful future.

Key Takeaways

• Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev demands Armenia recognize the 1992 Khojaly massacre as genocide.
• Armenia's ruling party secretary, Arthur Hovhannisyan, refuses to acknowledge the massacre as genocide.
• The Khojaly massacre resulted in 613 deaths, including 106 women and 63 children, during the Armenia-Azerbaijan war.
• Azerbaijan has relocated 44 families to Khojaly, which was under Armenian control for three decades until 2023.
• The recognition of historical events like Khojaly has significant implications for international relations and regional stability.