Baku State University (BSU) held an event commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, with world-renowned photojournalist Reza Deghati in attendance.

The event began with a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs who died for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and the victims of the Khojaly massacre.

In his speech, BSU Rector Elchin Babayev described the Khojaly genocide as one of the most horrific and tragic events in Azerbaijan’s history. He emphasized that this atrocity is not only a crime against the Azerbaijani people but against all of humanity. On February 26, 1992, Armenian armed forces carried out an unprecedented massacre of Khojaly’s civilian population, killing 613 people—including 106 women, 63 children, and 70 elderly individuals. Additionally, 1,275 people were taken hostage, with the fate of 150 still unknown. Eight families were completely wiped out, 25 children were orphaned, and 130 children lost one parent. Furthermore, 1,000 civilians were left disabled due to gunshot wounds.

The rector recalled that the first legal and political assessment of this tragedy was provided by national leader Heydar Aliyev. On his initiative, the Milli Majlis adopted a resolution on February 24, 1994, declaring February 26 as the "Day of the Khojaly Genocide." This resolution aimed to inform the UN and the international community about the massacre and called for decisive measures against Armenian terrorism. Today, many countries around the world recognize the Khojaly massacre as an act of genocide.

Elchin Babayev also highlighted the role of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in raising global awareness of Khojaly. He emphasized that the "Justice for Khojaly!" campaign, initiated by the foundation’s Vice President Leyla Aliyeva, has been instrumental in ensuring that this atrocity is acknowledged as one of the gravest crimes against humanity. The campaign has significantly expanded awareness of the Khojaly genocide, reaching regions across America, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, the Far East, Australia, and even Africa.

According to the rector, “2020 became a year of retribution for the tragedies our people endured. Under the leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the victorious Azerbaijani Army achieved a decisive victory, restoring the country’s territorial integrity. As a result of local anti-terrorist operations on September 19-20, 2023, the city of Khojaly was completely liberated from separatists. On October 15, 2023, President Ilham Aliyev raised our national flag in Khojaly. Today, life is returning to the city, and our wounds are beginning to heal. Our compatriots, who remained resilient in the face of genocide and enemy aggression, are rebuilding our cities and villages. It is essential that young people understand the consequences of this tragedy and the sorrowful history of Khojaly. Our duty is to pass down these truths to future generations.”

Other speakers at the event included MP Hikmet Babaoglu, Deputy Executive Director of the Youth Foundation Yusif Veliyev, Faculty of Journalism lecturer Mahir Garibov, and Chairman of the Public Association “Support for Youth Education” Aynura Alekperli.

Photojournalist Reza Deghati delivered a presentation titled “The Grave Consequences of the Khojaly Genocide.” Displaying photographs he had taken during the tragedy, he shared his firsthand experiences: “During this horrific genocide, a major information war was waged. The Armenian lobby distorted the truth, presenting the tragedy in a different light to the world. I captured the horrors of Khojaly through my lens and shared them globally. We must never forget this atrocity. For more than 30 years, I have been actively involved in this information war, striving to convey the reality of the Khojaly tragedy.”