Baku: The third international conference titled ‘Cultural Heritage and the Right of Return: Restoring the Cultural Heritage of Azerbaijanis Displaced from Armenia – as a Path to Justice, Reconciliation, and Peace’ was marked by a significant message from President Ilham Aliyev. The President emphasized the historical challenges faced by the Azerbaijani people, highlighting the repeated instances of deprivation, deportation, and genocide over the past two centuries, resulting in mass displacement.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, President Aliyev drew attention to the forced deportations of Azerbaijanis from mountainous regions in Armenia to warmer climates, the embezzlement of their property, and the destruction of their cultural artifacts. He underscored the importance of assessing these actions within an international legal framework and securing global support to address the crimes against humanity committed by Armenia against Azerbaijanis.
The President highlighted the necessity of intensifying efforts to ensure the return of displaced Azerbaijanis, in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments. He called for the involvement of the international community, including UN agencies, in the restoration and protection of Azerbaijani cultural heritage in Armenia. Aliyev stressed that the right of return encompasses not just the physical return but also the restoration of spiritual integrity and historical memory.
He commended the Western Azerbaijan Community for its commitment to reconciliation and dialogue, expressing hope that the peace process initiated in Washington in 2025 would foster future coexistence between Azerbaijanis and Armenians. The President concluded by expressing confidence in the success of the conference and its contribution to cultural heritage protection, the understanding of the right of return, and the peaceful return of Azerbaijanis to their ancestral lands.