[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 38 (Thursday, March 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE ANNIVERSARY OF MASSACRES AGAINST ARMENIANS IN SUMGAIT

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2012

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, once again I rise on behalf of the thousands 
of Armenian Americans in my congressional district to remember the 
evening of February 27, 1988, when a murderous campaign began against 
Christian Armenian civilians living in Sumgait, Azerbaijan. Tragically, 
police in nearby Baku ignored the atrocities and allowed the rampage to 
continue for three days.
  Azerbaijani rioters murdered, raped and maimed Armenians, throwing 
women and children from windows and burning victims alive. While some 
estimate that more than 30 individuals were killed and more than 200 
injured, others estimate that hundreds were murdered. The Soviets 
banned journalists from entering the area and, for two decades, 
Azerbaijani authorities relentlessly covered up, ignored and 
whitewashed these tragic events.
  Even worse, many believe the atrocities were officially sanctioned by 
Azerbaijani authorities to send a clear message to the Armenians, who 
were peacefully demonstrating against Azerbaijani repression and 
discrimination in Nagorno Karabakh just days before the massacre.
  The anniversary of this horrifying moment in history serves as yet 
another call to action to build a more peaceful and just world. The 
United States must stand firmly against repression and human rights 
abuses.

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