Genocide of Azeris talking point in int’l organization

Azeri MPs attending the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PA CE) succeeded Thursday in handing out a document entitled “Recognition of the genocide of Azerbaijanis by Armenians”.

This is the first time in the history of Azerbaijan when an official document on the genocide of Azerbaijanis has been disseminated in a prestigious international organization.

It is signed by 29 representatives of 9 countries, including chairman of the PA CE Political Committee. Before any document can be distributed in the Assembly, it is required to be signed by at least 20 parliamentarians from 3 member countries.

The issue is now likely to be brought up in PA CE committees and, if approved by at least one of them, the issue of recognition of the genocide will be put on the Assembly agenda.

The session also considered the issue of Azeri POWs and hostages kept in Armenia and Upper Garabagh. According to a report submitted by the Azerbaijan delegation, 783 Azeri POWs and hostages are currently held in captivity, including 18 children and 56 old people.

The Azeri delegation led by Ilham Aliyev has been attending the PA CE session since April 23.*