Armenia Must Acknowledge Azerbaijanis’ Right to Return to Ancestral Lands: Ilham Aliyev
Baku, The Gulf Observer: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, has called on Armenia to respect the fundamental right of Azerbaijanis to return to their ancestral lands, emphasizing that this is a critical prerequisite for lasting peace, reconciliation, and the protection of human rights in the region.
In a written message addressed to participants of the International Symposium of Ombudsmen on “Strengthening the Rule of Law: The Role of Ombudsmen and National Human Rights Institutions”, President Aliyev underlined the importance of addressing historical injustices, particularly the rights of refugees and displaced persons.
“One of the topics to be discussed at the symposium is related to the rights of refugees. The issue that warrants special attention in this area is the forced deportation and ethnic cleansing of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from Western Azerbaijan, the territory of Armenia, starting at the beginning of the last century,” the message stated.
President Aliyev noted that as a result of these deportations, not a single Azerbaijani remains in Armenia today. He also drew attention to the destruction of Azerbaijan’s historical, cultural, religious, and spiritual heritage in those territories, including monuments, mosques, and cemeteries.
“Historical justice requires the peaceful and safe return of these people to their homeland,” the message concluded, reaffirming Azerbaijan’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law as essential pillars for regional stability and coexistence.
