[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4102]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          THE KHOJALY TRAGEDY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2017

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on February 25 and 26, 1992, 
twenty-five years ago, the Armenian military forces occupied the town 
of Khojaly and destroyed hundreds of innocent lives. Those that weren't 
killed were wounded or taken hostage while their city was under siege.
  Khojaly was recognized as occupied territory from 1988 until 1994 
when a ceasefire was signed. The aggression and occupation by Armenian 
forces has been condemned by the United Nations Security Council.
  More than two decades have passed since those horrific events and 
little attention has been paid to those killed during the attacks and 
the struggles of displaced person.
  According to Human Rights Watch and other international observers the 
massacre was committed by Armenian troops, reportedly with the help of 
the former Soviet 366th Motor Rifle Regiment. Human Rights Watch 
described the Khojaly Massacre as ``the largest massacre to date in the 
conflict'' over Nagorno-Karabakh. In a 1992 report, they stated that 
Armenian forces and the 366th ``deliberately disregarded this customary 
law restraint on attacks.''
  Every year, more and more organizations and countries recognize the 
terrible tragedy perpetrated against Azerbaijani citizens in Khojaly 
that night. Each year, we need to recognize that without constant 
reminders and vigilance, violence can be perpetrated against innocent 
people. We need to stand up and remember that it is the right of all 
people to coexist peacefully without fear of brutality.
  Azerbaijan has been a strong strategic partner and friend of the 
United States. The tragedy of Khojaly was a war crime which cannot be 
ignored.
  Let's stand with the people of Azerbaijan as they commemorate this 
tragedy and urge world leaders to help bring a peaceful solution to the 
occupation of these lands.

                          ____________________