Bill Text: NJ AR24 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorates 19th anniversary of Khojaly Tragedy.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-10 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State Government Committee [AR24 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-AR24-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2012 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Commemorates 19th anniversary of Khojaly Tragedy.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Assembly Resolution commemorating the 19th 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, At the 13th session of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Parliamentary Union, the Khojaly Tragedy was officially recognized as an act of genocide; and
Whereas, February 26, 2011 marks the 19th anniversary of the Khojaly Tragedy; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The General Assembly hereby commemorates the 19th anniversary of the Khojaly Tragedy which occurred on February 26, 1992 and resulted in the needless loss of over 600 innocent lives.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the United States Department of State and the United States Ambassador to Azerbaijan.
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 Organization of the Islamic Conference has even officially recognized the Khojaly tragedy as an act of genocide. The General Assembly commemorates the events of February 26, 1992 in recognition that this is a great tragedy for the Republic of Azerbaijan and Azeri people around the world.
