An international scientific online conference "Historical, political and legal aspects of the Khojaly genocide" was held at Baku State University (BSU) on February 24, 2021. The conference was attended by BSU faculty and students. The participants observed a moment’s silence in memory of the citizens of Azerbaijan who lost their lives that day.
Opening the event, BSU rector Elchin Babayev informed about the tragedy. He said the Khojaly massacre is one of the most heinous and bloodiest events of the 20th century. “The Armenian forces supported by the ex-Soviet 366th regiment completed the surrounding of the town already isolated due to ethnic cleansing of the Azerbaijani population of the neighboring regions. As a result of this terrible event, 613 civilians were killed, including 106 women, 70 elderly and 63 children, 8 families were completely destroyed, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one parent. 487 people were wounded by enemy bullets, and 1,275 people were taken as hostages. 150 hostages, including 68 women and 26 children's fates are unknown until now. The political and legal assessment to the Khojaly genocide was given in 1994, at the initiative of national leader Heydar Aliyev, after his return to power. The international campaign “Justice for Khojaly!” initiated by the Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva has played a special role in conveying the truth about the genocide to the world community, spreading the word on Armenian atrocities throughout the world”, said Elchin Babayev.
At the Conference, presentations were made by Yuksel Juneit and Mustafa Budak, Professors at the Istanbul University; Nuru Mammadov, Professor at the History Department, BSU; Professor Kamal Chichek, Head of the Center for Strategic Studies "New Turkey"; Professor Amir Aliyev, Dean of the Faculty of Law, BSU; Aqeela Asif, Professor at The COMSATS University Islamabad; Tarana Tagiyeva, Associate Professor at the Department of Diplomacy and Modern Integration, BSU.