[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 29 (Thursday, February 28, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E224-E225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUMGAIT POGROMS

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 28, 2013

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, again this year I stand to recognize an 
important period that remains a strong reminder that we must continue 
to address violent human tragedies whenever they occurred. The American 
and Armenian people use this time of year to recommit themselves to 
preventing any further violence. We do this because we mark the 
anniversary of the Sumgait pogroms where hundreds of Armenians were 
murdered as a result of long-running hostilities directed towards the 
Armenian people.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in solemnly commemorating the death 
of these innocent lives. It was on the evening of February 27, 1988 
that hundreds of Armenians were brutally murdered, some burned alive 
and others thrown from windows. Included in the violence was the rape 
of women and the maiming of children. Armenians saw their belongings 
stolen, their shops destroyed and thousands were displaced from their 
homes. To add to the human tragedy, police turned a blind eye thus 
allowing the pogroms to go on for three days.
  Unfortunately, the underlying hostility that led to the outbreak and 
continued violence of the Sumgait pogroms continues to survive today. 
For more than two decades, authorities in Azerbaijan have attempted to 
ignore and cover up these crimes and have instead fostered hatred 
toward the Armenian people. In an affront to basic senses of justice, 
the Azerbaijani government recently pardoned Azerbaijani military 
officer, Ramil Safarov who was sentenced to life in prison in Hungary 
for murdering an Armenian military officer during a NATO-sponsored 
training program in 2004. I continue to be outraged by this promotion 
of violence against innocent Armenians.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in calling on Azerbaijan to fully 
recognize the Sumgait pogroms and to give an accurate historical 
account of the events. I also ask my colleagues to join me in calling 
upon the Azerbaijani government to acknowledge Ramil Safarov as a 
convicted murderer and immediately take action commensurate with a 
democratic nation that supports justice under the rule of law. 
Azerbaijan must break from its current course and take action to create 
a peaceful future.
  As co-chair and founder of the Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus, 
I know that the caucus will continue its work to ensure that the basic 
rights of life, liberty and security are promoted throughout the 
Caucasus region. We will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution 
to conflict in the region. We will continue to call on Azerbaijan to 
cease its hostilities toward the Armenian people and stand for justice 
whenever it is violated.

[[Page E225]]



                          ____________________