[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 20 (Thursday, January 30, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF THE VICTIMS OF THE BAKU AND SUMGAIT POGROMS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 30, 2020

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 32nd 
Anniversary of the Sumgait pogrom and the 30th Anniversary of the Baku 
pogrom.
   On February 27, 1988, hundreds of 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.
   Similarly, on January 12, 1990, a seven-day pogrom broke out against 
the Armenian population in Baku during which Armenians were beaten, 
murdered, and expelled from the city. Over 90 Armenian civilians were 
killed, over 700 were injured, and countless others were permanently 
displaced by the ethnic violence that ensued.
   For over three decades, Azerbaijan has taken steps to cover up these 
crimes against humanity and dismiss the atrocities at Sumgait and Baku. 
Even more disturbing is that the perpetrators of this event and similar 
violent attacks have been lauded as national heroes by the Azeri 
government.
   It is critical for the United States government to recognize and 
denounce violent assaults against any civilians. I continue to stand 
with the Armenian people in condemning this horrific massacre. 
Tragically, the Azerbaijani government's approach toward the Armenian 
people has changed little since the pogroms were initiated. We still 
hear the same violent rhetoric and witness intimidation tactics aimed 
at the people of the Republic of Artsakh.
   If we do not condemn crimes against humanity and allow them to go 
unpunished and unrecognized, we only strengthen the resolve of those 
seeking to perpetrate these crimes in the future. It is especially 
critical to consider this as we prepare to commemorate the 105th 
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 Baku and 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. In doing 
so, we renew our commitment to achieving a lasting peace and more 
humane way of living in the Caucasus.

                          ____________________