Italian Federation to name practical program for Armenia-Azerbaijan reconciliation

Tomorrow, at its roundtable discussion on Peace and Transitional Justice, the Italian Federation for Human Rights will announce a practical program for Armenia-Azerbaijan reconciliation, Antonio Stango, President of the Italian Federation for Human Rights said today while visiting Azerbaijan's liberated territories, Report informs.

"As leaders both in Armenia and Azerbaijan have announced in the aftermath of 2020 war their willingness "to turn the page" and start "era of peace in the region", it is time for strong international mediation, first on civil society level, to end the impunity and silence, render justice for Khojaly but also to help communities in both countries to overcome the shadow of the tragedy through recognition, dialogue, and ultimate reconciliation," Antonio Stango said.

Talking about the Khojaly massacre, he noted that the internationally acknowledged evidence for what occurred is stark, indisputable, and meticulously recorded at the time.

"Human Rights Watch and Memorial documented even more, including what HRW described as a clear violation of international humanitarian law: evidence that civilian victims were shot to death while fleeing through road which later, Armenian official sources claimed to be so called 'Humanitarian corridor' for Khojaly residents," he said.

Today we are here as a sign of solidarity - to pay tribute and mourn innocent souls of victims of human hatred with their loved ones."

In connection with the 31st anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, representatives of the international "Khojaly: Reconcile to Recognize" coalition visited the "Corridor of Death" between Khojaly and Aghdam, where hundreds of peaceful Khojaly residents who tried to escape were killed.