H.E. Taha Ayhan, the ICYF President, commemorates the 31st anniversary of the genocide in Khojaly town of Azerbaijan perpetrated by the Armenian armed forces on February 26, 1992.

As a result of this atrocity 613 people, including 106 women, 63 children and 70 elderly have been killed, whereas 1275 people have been taken hostage and tortured. 150 hostages, including 68 women and 26 children, are still unknown. 487 people have been severely injured during this massacre. Moreover, 8 families have been totally exterminated, 155 children have lost their parents.

Referring to the Cairo Final Communiqué (Paragraph 117) adopted by the 12th Session of the Islamic Summit, held in Cairo on 2013 and to the Resolution No. 51/48-POL on “Solidarity with the victims of Khojaly Massacre of 1992” adopted by the 48th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the OIC held in Islamabad on 2022, which considered the actions perpetrated against civilian Azerbaijani population in the occupied town of Khojaly, as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide at the national and international levels, as well as to the Resolution No. 7/48-C on “Affiliated Institutions (B)” adopted again by the 48th Session of the OIC CFM, which commended the activities of “Justice for Khojaly” international civil awareness campaign towards raising awareness internationally on the Khojaly genocide, the ICYF President reiterates that the Khojaly Genocide was a result of the illegal occupation of Azerbaijani territories by the Republic of Armenia and is one of the most horrific crimes of genocide committed in the history of humanity in the 20th century due to its scale, brutality and inhuman treatment.

Mr. Ayhan emphasizes the importance of implementing the relevant international law to punish those Armenian murderers who perpetrated this genocidal act while believing that the end of the Armenian occupation has a crucial significance for the establishment of the long-standing order and peace in the whole region.

Looking for prosperity and well-being in the region, especially for the betterment of young people, the ICYF President once again expresses his deep condolences to the Government and People of Azerbaijan.

The ICYF President also appreciates the tremendous support and unwavering commitment in providing much-needed relief and aid to those affected that the Government and People of Azerbaijan demonstrated in the wake of the recent earthquake hit 10 districts of Türkiye.