Targeted News Service
March 5, 2019 Tuesday 5:07 AM EST
Rep. Cox Issues Statement on 31st Anniversary of Ethnic Attacks Against Armenians in Sumgait
WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON, March 5 — Rep. TJ Cox, D-California, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on March 4, on the 31st anniversary of the ethnic attacks against Armenians in Sumgait, Azerbaijan:
Madam Speaker, February 27th marks the 31st anniversary of the ethnic attacks against Armenians in Sumgait, Azerbaijan. During these horrific pogroms, hundreds of Armenians were wounded or murdered, women and children were raped and even burned alive. Despite Sumgait's close proximity to Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, police and law enforcement stood by and allowed the persecution to continue on for three days.
The violence was just the start of continued attacks against Armenians in Azerbaijan, resulting in a war with Nagorno-Karabakh where thousands of more were killed. To this day, the conflict in Azerbaijan remains and a military blockade of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic continues. Devastatingly, these pogroms have led to a huge refugee crisis, ultimately displacing thousands and eliminating the once- significant Armenian population in Azerbaijan.
The government of Azerbaijan has never been held accountable for these atrocities. Now more than ever these acts of murder must be condemned. As we mourn the loss of the innocent lives, we must be mindful of the ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, the recurring incidents of hate rhetoric led by Azeri political leaders, and the continued military clashes along the border. Azerbaijan's leaders must commit to fruitful negotiations to bring lasting peace in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Madam Speaker, I call upon my colleagues to join me in condemning this violence and injustice. We must learn from this atrocity and continue to advocate for the protection of human rights for the Armenian people, and for all. I'm committed to working with my colleagues on the Armenian Caucus to always remember the victims of the pogroms in Sumgait and to ensure this history never repeats itself.