Bill Text: NJ AR107 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorates 22nd anniversary of Khojaly Tragedy.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-24 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee [AR107 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AR107-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Commemorates 22nd anniversary of Khojaly Tragedy.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution commemorating the 22nd anniversary of the Khojaly Tragedy in which more than 600 people were killed.
Whereas, The Nagorno-Karabakh War, lasting from 1988 to 1994, was a conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh; and
Whereas, As part of that conflict, on February 26, 1992 in Khojaly, Azerbaijan, over 600 people were killed, over 1,000 disabled, and over 1,200 civilians were taken hostage by Karabakh Armenian forces; and
Whereas, Many civilian bodies found in Khojaly after the fight were disfigured and mutilated, making this one of the most inhumane and barbaric battles of the war; and
Whereas, International organizations such as Human Rights Watch documented these killings and attributed responsibility for them to Karabakh Armenian forces; and
Whereas, To this day the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia continues, with Armenian forces occupying Azerbaijan territory in the Nagorno-Karabakh region; and
Whereas, Resolutions against Armenian aggression towards Azerbaijan, and the occupation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region by Armenian forces have been passed by the United Nations General Assembly and by the Organization of the Islamic Conference; and
Whereas, February 26, 2014 marks the 22nd anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy; and
Whereas, The Council of Turkic American Associations coordinates with Azerbaijani-American communities to educate other communities about the significance of this day and other important events in the history of Azerbaijan; and
Whereas, The Council of Turkic American Associations plays a pivotal role in preserving the memory of this terrible tragedy and through its efforts, the legacy of those who died will never be forgotten; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper for this House to honor the lives and memories of the victims of the horrific Khojaly Tragedy; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The General Assembly hereby commemorates the 22nd anniversary of the Khojaly Tragedy which occurred on February 26, 1992 and resulted in the needless loss of over 600 innocent lives.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the United States Department of State, the United States Ambassador to Azerbaijan and the Council of Turkic American Associations.
STATEMENT
This resolution commemorates the Khojaly Tragedy which occurred on February 26, 1992 in Khojaly, Azerbaijan. The tragedy resulted in the death of over 600 people, the disabling of over 1,000 civilians, and over 1,200 residents being taken hostage. Human Rights Watch has placed responsibility for the civilian deaths with Karabakh Armenian forces.
While the active hostilities of the Nagorno-Karabakh War between Azerbaijan and Armenia that caused this tragedy have ended, the issues giving rise to the conflict remain in dispute and Armenia still occupies the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference have both passed resolutions condemning Armenian aggression in the area and calling on Armenia to respect Azerbaijan borders.
The resolution recognizes that this event was a great tragedy for the Republic of Azerbaijan and Azeri people around the world.
