[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 43 (Friday, March 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE ANNIVERSARY OF SUMGAIT POGROMS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DAVID N. CICILLINE

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 13, 2015

  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, this week we commemorate the 27th 
Anniversary of the horrific Sumgait Pogroms. On February 27, 1988 
organized mobs of Azerbaijanis aimed at killing and driving Armenian 
Christians living in Sumgait from their homes. Police allowed the 
pogroms to go on for 3 days, during which Armenians were burned alive 
and thrown from windows.
  The Sumgait massacre is a black mark on history and sadly, this event 
sparked further violence as Armenians would be targeted less than 9 
months later in Kirovbad and again in Baku in 1990.
  The Azerbaijani Government has shamefully continued to undermine 
prospects for a lasting peace in the Southern Caucuses, recently they 
were reported violating the ceasefire and killing several Armenian 
soldiers on the border.
  From the earliest days of its formation, the people of Nagorno 
Karabakh have fought and died for their independence and held open and 
transparent elections, a tradition of democracy that the United States 
should honor and respect.
  As we reflect on these horrific outbreaks of ethnic violence, I join 
with Armenians in Rhode Island, and across the world in remembering 
these victims and renewing our commitment to justice, independence and 
finding lasting peace.

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