On February 26, 2025, a hybrid format event entitled “Human Rights Violation Day: Khojaly Genocide” was organized on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide. First, the memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty of Azerbaijan was commemorated with a minute of silence. Opening the event with an introductory speech, the Director of the Genocide Memorial Complex, Rakhshenda Bayramova, spoke about the historical significance of the Khojaly genocide and the importance of evaluating it in terms of human rights violations at the international legal level. She said that the Khojaly incident is a tragedy not only for Azerbaijan, but for humanity in general, and those who committed this crime must be held accountable before justice. Rakhshenda Bayramova also provided information about the educational activities carried out by the Complex and emphasized the importance of strengthening propaganda work on an international scale so that this tragedy is not forgotten. Later, Irada Alili, a doctor of philosophy in history and a member of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union, noted that the Khojaly tragedy was not just an overnight event, but was part of a long-term political and military aggression. Explaining the terrible massacres that occurred during the tragedy with historical facts, she said that this was not just a military operation, but a planned act of genocide against the civilian population. Irada Alili also noted that literary and scientific works written about the genocides that occurred in the historical territories of Azerbaijan played an important role in conveying these tragedies to future generations. Speaking at the event, Fuad Mammadov, Head of the Department of Law, Human Resources and Documentation of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, analyzed the legal aspects of the Khojaly genocide and noted the importance of assessing this event as an act of genocide from the point of view of international law. He spoke about the work done by the Azerbaijani state to promote the Khojaly tragedy at the international level and noted that the recognition of the Khojaly genocide by the parliaments of various countries is an important step in this direction. It should be noted that the event was attended by about 85 heads and employees of reserves subordinate to the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
