Baku, October 2, 2024 – The Europe Today: Azerbaijan has expressed surprise at a recent statement by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Dafna Rand, made at the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference on October 1. Rand noted that the U.S. is “continuing to review alleged violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses in Nagorno-Karabakh,” prompting a strong response from Baku.
Aykhan Hajizada, spokesperson for Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, questioned the timing and focus of the U.S. remarks. Hajizada pointed out that despite the large-scale crimes and massacres committed by Armenia during its military occupation of Azerbaijani territories, the U.S. had remained silent for nearly 30 years. He underscored the importance of addressing these long-standing violations if the U.S. aims to demonstrate impartiality.
Hajizada further stated that for the U.S. to hold a fair position, it should demand a full investigation into Armenia’s past crimes and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Otherwise, he argued, the statement appears one-sided and influenced by Armenian propaganda, aimed at misleading the international community and diverting attention from the human rights violations committed against Azerbaijanis during Armenia’s aggression.
The remarks come amid ongoing tensions and disputes over the Garabagh region, as Azerbaijan continues to press for accountability for the decades-long conflict.
