[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 38 (Monday, March 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE VICTIMS OF THE BAKU AND SUMGAIT POGROMS AND THE 
                  2020 AZERBAIJANI ATTACKS ON ARTSAKH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 1, 2021

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 33rd 
Anniversary of the Sumgait pogrom and the 31st 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 because of their ethnicity. Hostile, 
anti-Armenian rhetoric from Azerbaijani citizens and officials 
instigated this tragedy.
  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, the Azeri government lauded the perpetrators of 
this event and similar violent attacks.
  Tragically, the Azerbaijani government's approach toward Armenians 
has changed little since the Sumgait and Baku pogroms. We saw similar 
rhetoric right before Azerbaijan's attacks on Artsakh last fall. Azeri 
forces, Turkish drones, and Turkish-backed mercenaries conducted an 
indiscriminate bombing campaign against large population centers that 
killed thousands of Armenians and displaced tens of thousands more 
civilians. It also included appalling war crimes against Armenians at 
the hands of Azerbaijani forces and foreign mercenaries that included 
beheadings, torture, and other abhorrent acts of violence
  I continue to stand with the Armenian people in condemning the 
horrific pogroms and in mourning the loss of those who were senselessly 
killed in the recent Artsakh attacks. It is critical for the United 
States to recognize and denounce violent assaults against any 
civilians. If we do not condemn or punish crimes against humanity and 
ethnic violence, we become passive bystanders, failing to live up to 
the lessons of the 20th Century and the rights of all human to live 
free from violence and persecution based on race, ethnicity, or 
religion. These lessons are especially important as we prepare to 
commemorate the 106th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in April.
  I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Congressional 
Armenian Issues Caucus to honor the victims of the Baku and Sumgait 
pogroms and the recent victims of Azerbaijani aggressions in Artsakh. I 
will continue to condemn all acts of violence against people who are 
targeted simply because of who they are. 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 in the Caucasus.

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