[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 37 (Thursday, March 1, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN RECOGNITION OF THE VICTIMS OF THE SUMGAIT POGROMS

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                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2018

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 30th 
Anniversary of the Sumgait pogroms, one of the most horrific attacks 
against the Armenian people committed at the hands of Azerbaijanis.
  On February 27, 1988, up to 200 Armenian civilians living in the city 
of Sumgait in Azerbaijan were indiscriminately killed, raped, maimed, 
and even burned alive for no reason other than their ethnicity. This 
senseless violence was instigated by hostile, anti-Armenian rhetoric 
from Azerbaijani citizens and officials against these innocent 
individuals.
  For three decades, Azerbaijan has taken steps to cover up these 
crimes against humanity and dismiss the atrocities at Sumgait. Even 
more disturbing is that perpetrators of these events and similar 
violent attacks have since been lauded as national heroes.
  I condemn these horrific attacks. Tragically, the Azerbaijani 
government's approach toward the Armenian people has not changed much 
since these attacks were perpetrated. In 2018, we hear the same violent 
rhetoric and witness the intimidation tactics by the Azerbaijani 
government against the people of Nagorno Karabakh.
  If we do not condemn crimes against humanity, we only strengthen the 
resolve of those seeking to perpetrate these crimes in the future. The 
Armenian people have known this for too long, as we prepare to 
commemorate the 103rd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in April.
  I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Congressional 
Armenian Issues Caucus to remember the victims of the pogroms at 
Sumgait and to condemn all acts of violence against people who are 
targeted simply because of their existence. I hope my colleagues will 
join me in rejecting violent rhetoric and intimidation by renewing our 
commitment to achieving a collective and lasting peace.

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