OIC Adopts Landmark Resolution on Western Azerbaijan Community at 51st Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul
Istanbul, The Gulf Observer: The 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) concluded in Istanbul with the adoption of a series of important resolutions, including, for the first time, a resolution addressing the Western Azerbaijan Community.
The session culminated in the endorsement of the “Istanbul Declaration”, alongside five resolutions initiated by Azerbaijan, highlighting a broad consensus among OIC member states on critical issues related to Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, humanitarian rights, and post-conflict recovery.
A historic outcome of the session was the approval of the resolution titled “The Right to Return of Azerbaijanis Forcibly and Systematically Expelled from Present-Day Armenian Territory.” This marks the first instance of the OIC formally recognizing the Western Azerbaijan Community’s right to return, and condemns Armenia’s persistent denial of the community’s fundamental rights.
The Istanbul Declaration also welcomed progress in the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and called upon the Armenian side to remove political and legal obstacles to the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement. It further reaffirmed the support for Azerbaijan’s post-conflict reconstruction and demining efforts, enabling the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons.
The resolution strongly criticized Armenia’s refusal to engage in dialogue with the Western Azerbaijan Community and reaffirmed the community’s inalienable right of return in line with international law and humanitarian principles.
Another key resolution, “Solidarity with the Victims of the 1992 Khojaly Massacre,” denounced war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide committed by Armenian armed forces in Khojaly and other previously occupied Azerbaijani territories. It also urged OIC member states to take necessary steps toward the recognition of these atrocities.
The resolution titled “Elimination of the Consequences of the Aggression of the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan” reiterated strong condemnation of Armenian aggression and expressed firm support for Azerbaijan’s reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the liberated territories.
In addition, a resolution on “Economic Assistance to the Republic of Azerbaijan” called upon OIC member states and Islamic financial institutions to contribute to reconstruction and demining activities, underscoring the importance of collective support in the post-conflict phase.
The resolution titled “Destruction and Insult of Islamic Historical and Cultural Monuments and Heritage in the Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a Result of the Aggression by the Republic of Armenia” strongly condemned the vandalism and desecration of Islamic heritage during the occupation. It affirmed Azerbaijan’s demand for reparations and restoration of its cultural and religious sites.
The adoption of these resolutions at the Istanbul session marks a significant step in reaffirming the rights of displaced Azerbaijani communities and holding Armenia accountable for past actions, while reinforcing the OIC’s commitment to justice, peace, and regional stability.
