By: Tahir Farooq
In the heart of the Caucasus, where the mountains bear witness to centuries of history, the late 20th century unfolded a new chapter of sorrow and darkness. The Khojaly Massacre, a night of unfathomable tragedy, remains etched in the collective memory of Azerbaijan as an indelible scar. On the night of February 25-26, 1992, the world turned its gaze away as Khojaly, a small town in the Karabakh region, which is now liberated by Azerbaijan became the stage for what many in Azerbaijan and international observers have termed a horrific act of ethnic cleansing perpetrated by Armenian forces.
The conflict over the the Karabakh, an area recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan had escalated into a full-scale war by the early 1990s. Amidst this tense backdrop, Khojaly, a small town with significant strategic and symbolic importance due to its location near the region’s only airport, found itself at the heart of a looming catastrophe. The town symbolized the multicultural coexistence that once defined the area, making the events that transpired there even more tragic.
As Armenian forces, supported by elements of the 366th CIS Regiment, laid siege to Khojaly, the residents faced an unimaginable dilemma: remain under siege or attempt to escape through a supposed humanitarian corridor that led to Azerbaijani-controlled territories. Many chose to flee, unaware of the dire consequences that awaited them. The massacre that ensued during their attempted escape claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, marking a stark and brutal violation of human rights and international humanitarian law.
The Azeri government and various human rights organizations have painstakingly documented the scale of this atrocity. 613 lives were lost, including 106 women and 63 children, with thousands more wounded, taken hostage, or missing. The Khojaly Massacre stands as one of the deadliest and most brutal incidents of the Karabakh conflict, a grim reminder of the human cost of ethnic and territorial disputes.The sheer brutality of the massacre and the targeting of innocent civilians have led many in Azerbaijan and beyond to call for the incident to be recognized as an act of genocide, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice for the victims and their families.
In the aftermath of the massacre, Azerbaijan has tirelessly worked to bring international attention to the tragedy of Khojaly. This effort reflects a broader desire for recognition and justice, not just for the sake of historical accuracy but as a crucial step towards healing and reconciliation. Despite these efforts, the response from the international community has been mixed, with only a few countries officially recognizing the massacre as a genocidal act. This lack of widespread recognition is perceived by many in Azerbaijan as an ongoing injustice, minimizing the suffering experienced by the victims and their families.
The Khojaly Massacre also highlights significant issues related to human rights and the obligations of both states and non-state actors in conflict situations. The actions taken against the civilians of Khojaly are a clear breach of the Geneva Conventions, which explicitly prohibit the targeting of non-combatants in armed conflicts. This incident raises critical questions about the international community’s role in preventing such atrocities and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
One of the challenges in addressing the Khojaly Massacre has been the initial lack of international media coverage. This oversight has been a source of frustration for Azerbaijan, reflecting a broader issue of selective attention and indifference that can pervade international responses to human rights violations. However, in recent years, there has been a concerted effort by Azerbaijan to leverage digital media and diplomatic channels to highlight the tragedy, seeking to shift international perception and garner support for their cause.
Reflecting on the Khojaly Massacre necessitates a broader contemplation of the causes and consequences of ethnic and territorial conflicts. For Azerbaijan, the massacre is a call to action—a reminder of the importance of justice& recognition of the grave human rights violation of Azerbaijan. It underscores the urgent necessity for reconciliation, respect for human rights, and the establishment of a framework for lasting peace in the region.
The story of Khojaly is not just a recounting of a tragic event in history; it is a narrative about human suffering, the quest for justice, and the enduring hope for a future where such atrocities can be prevented. As the international community reflects on the lessons of Khojaly, it is crucial to recognize the importance of acknowledging past atrocities, holding perpetrators accountable, and working collectively towards a future built on mutual respect, understanding, and peace. Only through such efforts can we hope to honor the memory of those lost and ensure that history does not repeat itself.
The writer is editor-in-chief at Pakistan Economic Net and Daily Ittehad Media Group. He is also the Vice President and Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE)
