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Central Asian and Southern Caucasus Freedom of Expression Network
(CASCFEN), Azerbaijan
Dec 19 2004
South Azerbaijan Human Rights Group addresses to the EP
Published: 19.12.2004
CASCFEN, Baku, 19.12.2004 -- Shahin Ostajloo, Spokesman for South
Azerbaijan Human Rights Group (S.A.H.R) based in Europe has delivered
a copy of letter addressed to the members of the European Parliament
in regard to "strained relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia"
while the last has occupied about 20% of lands of the first.
Following is the text of the letter:
"We are a group of South Azerbaijan Human Rights who live in Europe.
We are in contact with our fellow countrymen in Azerbaijan, therefore
we have important informations about the strained relations between
Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is our belief that it is of the utmost
importance that EU or UN do interfere in the area now, before it is
too late to prevent another war to break out.
During summer 2004 we visited different refugee camps in Azerbaijan.
The people in the camps had fled from their homes when the Armenians
had occupied their country. More than 1 million people are living
under very bad conditions. They are in need of the most necessary
means to lead a decent life. Many of them are women and children who
have lost their husband/father during the war. They are totally
dependent of what help they can get from other people or
organisations. They are also a heavy burden for Azerbaijan.
People thought they were able to return to their homes after the war
stopped. But they were very wrong. Their hope of returning is
weakening as time goes by. Every day they receive bad news from
their homeland. Armenians have sacked their homes and sold their
belongings. The churchyards, historical and cultural monuments have
been destroyed. People feel that the western world don't care much
about them. Nobody has spoken their cause in UN, and they are close
to loose faith in peace in the area.
They are living a life as a social bomb which can detonate any time
now. It is a huge tragedy to which the western countries close their
eyes. More than 20% of Azerbaijan is under Armenian occupation, and
there are no signs of them withdrawing. The Azerbaijan fugitives have
completely lost their faith in a peaceful solution. They now believe
that the only way to have their homes back is another war.
This is a disasterous development, because a new war in the area will
not be any good for any side in the conflict. On the contrary, it is
likely that a war will spread to more groups in the area. Therefore
it is necessary to prevent it and stop it before it starts.
That is why it is so important that democratic organisations in the
western world - especially the EU interfere in the conflict very
actively. Representatives from the EU ought to go to Azerbaijan
themselves to look into the conditions of the refugees on the very
spot. Pressure should be laid upon Armenia to withdraw from the
occupied areas. And the problems between Armenia and Azerbaijan
should be solved in a peaceful way.
The western world can do a lot to install peace right now, but it can
not do much, if another war breaks out in the area."
(CASCFEN), Azerbaijan
Dec 19 2004
South Azerbaijan Human Rights Group addresses to the EP
Published: 19.12.2004
CASCFEN, Baku, 19.12.2004 -- Shahin Ostajloo, Spokesman for South
Azerbaijan Human Rights Group (S.A.H.R) based in Europe has delivered
a copy of letter addressed to the members of the European Parliament
in regard to "strained relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia"
while the last has occupied about 20% of lands of the first.
Following is the text of the letter:
"We are a group of South Azerbaijan Human Rights who live in Europe.
We are in contact with our fellow countrymen in Azerbaijan, therefore
we have important informations about the strained relations between
Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is our belief that it is of the utmost
importance that EU or UN do interfere in the area now, before it is
too late to prevent another war to break out.
During summer 2004 we visited different refugee camps in Azerbaijan.
The people in the camps had fled from their homes when the Armenians
had occupied their country. More than 1 million people are living
under very bad conditions. They are in need of the most necessary
means to lead a decent life. Many of them are women and children who
have lost their husband/father during the war. They are totally
dependent of what help they can get from other people or
organisations. They are also a heavy burden for Azerbaijan.
People thought they were able to return to their homes after the war
stopped. But they were very wrong. Their hope of returning is
weakening as time goes by. Every day they receive bad news from
their homeland. Armenians have sacked their homes and sold their
belongings. The churchyards, historical and cultural monuments have
been destroyed. People feel that the western world don't care much
about them. Nobody has spoken their cause in UN, and they are close
to loose faith in peace in the area.
They are living a life as a social bomb which can detonate any time
now. It is a huge tragedy to which the western countries close their
eyes. More than 20% of Azerbaijan is under Armenian occupation, and
there are no signs of them withdrawing. The Azerbaijan fugitives have
completely lost their faith in a peaceful solution. They now believe
that the only way to have their homes back is another war.
This is a disasterous development, because a new war in the area will
not be any good for any side in the conflict. On the contrary, it is
likely that a war will spread to more groups in the area. Therefore
it is necessary to prevent it and stop it before it starts.
That is why it is so important that democratic organisations in the
western world - especially the EU interfere in the conflict very
actively. Representatives from the EU ought to go to Azerbaijan
themselves to look into the conditions of the refugees on the very
spot. Pressure should be laid upon Armenia to withdraw from the
occupied areas. And the problems between Armenia and Azerbaijan
should be solved in a peaceful way.
The western world can do a lot to install peace right now, but it can
not do much, if another war breaks out in the area."