Chicago hosts second Global Dialogue Conference dedicated to Khojaly genocide

Foreign Policy 15:46 23.02.2025

The second Global Dialogue Conference, titled “Bridging Past and Future,” dedicated to the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, was held in Chicago, Illinois.

The conference brought together international experts, representatives from the Azerbaijani community in the U.S., officials from the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, and employees of the Azerbaijani Embassy in the U.S.

Farid Mammadov and Mehriban Mammadova, co-chairs of the Azerbaijan Center of Midwest America (ACMA), emphasized the significance of such conferences in raising global awareness of the Khojaly genocide.

The national anthems of Azerbaijan and the U.S. were played, followed by a moment of silence to honor the victims. A documentary on the genocide was also screened.

In her opening speech, Selhat Abbasova, Director at the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, spoke of the lasting pain felt by Azerbaijanis worldwide due to the Khojaly tragedy. She underlined Azerbaijan's ongoing efforts to share the truth about the conflict, Karabakh, and the crimes committed against the Azerbaijani people. Abbasova also highlighted that Azerbaijan's 2020 liberation of occupied territories and the 2023 liberation of Khojaly have paved the way for reconstruction and the return of displaced persons.

She further emphasized that the souls of the Khojaly victims would find peace only when those responsible for the crime are held accountable and face justice.

A video highlighting President Ilham Aliyev’s recent visit to the liberated territories and his meeting with local residents was also presented.

A representative from Azerbaijan’s embassy in the U.S. highlighted the growing international recognition of the Khojaly genocide, citing resolutions from 11 U.S. states and statements and proclamations from over 15 states in remembrance of the victims.

During the panel discussions, Pakistani geopolitical analyst and journalist Malik Ayub Sumbal described the events in Khojaly as unimaginably horrific, calling for more countries to recognize this tragedy as genocide. He reminded the audience that 16 countries have politically acknowledged the atrocity, and the OIC has adopted 13 resolutions on the Khojaly genocide.

Professor Stefan Brooks of the US National Defense University stated that deliberately targeting unarmed civilians is a violation of the laws of war and the Geneva Conventions, adding that the events in Khojaly were a war crime.

Fabiana Ceyhan, President of the Brazilian Association of Journalists of International Area, shared her impressions as one of the first journalists to visit Karabakh after the 44-day war. She emphasized the importance of remembering such tragedies to prevent their recurrence and ensure they are not forgotten by the international community. Ceyhan added that since Khojaly was a civilian settlement, attacking the peaceful population was both an injustice and a crime.

Kelvin Dark, President of RC Communications and an expert on international relations and communications, shared his firsthand experience in Karabakh, highlighting the severe dangers posed by landmines. He explained that landmines reflect the scale of violence during the conflict, and their full clearance will require decades and billions of dollars. Dark also spoke about the attacks on Ganja during the war, stressing that the victims of the Ganja terror were families far from the front lines. He noted that it would take many years to heal the psychological impact of such attacks.

Ali Asgarov, a professor at the University of North Carolina, presented the factors behind Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijanis before the Khojaly tragedy and provided evidence that the actions in Khojaly were genocide.

The event concluded with a speech by Tarlan Ahmadov, head of the Azerbaijan Society of Maine.

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

President of İEPF Umud Mirzayev Appeals to Putin: "Such actions undermine the spirit of friendship between our people""
23:31 28.06.2025
Celebrating the 85th Anniversary of Professor Muhammad Yunuscial Business – Nobel Laureate and Pioneer of Social Business
15:42 28.06.2025
EU to provide Kyiv with €30.6B in support in 2025
16:40 27.06.2025
Simon Stiell calls for global cooperation in face of climate crisis
16:00 27.06.2025
IDF says fighter jets struck Hezbollah facility in southern Lebanon
15:40 27.06.2025
President Ilham Aliyev received credentials of incoming ambassador of Poland
15:05 27.06.2025
Masked Special Forces of Armenia's National Security Service enter territory of Garegin II’s residence
14:55 27.06.2025
Hungary blocks talks on Ukraine’s accession to EU
14:35 27.06.2025
Israel sums up operation against Iran: 11 scientists, about 300 IRGC members killed
14:05 27.06.2025
Trump says his duties bring US $88B in revenue
13:55 27.06.2025
Snow falls in world’s driest desert in Chile
13:25 27.06.2025
Release from the Press Service of the President
13:00 27.06.2025
Australia to prioritize 'national interest' over defense spending, says premier, resists US pressure
12:35 27.06.2025
Chairman of Committee: 'There are broad, strong ties of cooperation, solidarity among religious confessions in Azerbaijan'
12:25 27.06.2025
Price of Azerbaijani oil grows over 1%
12:05 27.06.2025
Over 60 foreigners evacuated from Iran through territory of Azerbaijan
11:45 27.06.2025
European Championship: Azerbaijani judokas win 6 medals on first day
11:25 27.06.2025
UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies’ 62nd session (SB62) concludes today
11:05 27.06.2025
Mukhtar Babayev: New NDCs can be a green light for green investments
10:55 27.06.2025
Former UN General Assembly president presents poem about Nizami Ganjavi at London Climate Action Week
10:35 27.06.2025
WHO delivers 1st medical shipment to Gaza since March 2, calls it 'drop in ocean'
10:20 27.06.2025
Polish lawmakers vote to withdraw from anti-landmine treaty
10:05 27.06.2025
At least 16 killed, 400 injured in Kenya protests: Amnesty International
09:55 27.06.2025
Elchin Amirbayov: South Caucasus faces both challenges, opportunities
09:35 27.06.2025
Senior clergyman under investigation for call for coup in Armenia
09:20 27.06.2025
Gen. Dan Caine: US strikes on Iran are 'culmination' of 15 years of planning
09:05 27.06.2025
Euronews: Baku is platform for global energy dialogue
21:35 26.06.2025
Turkish president believes Iran won't close Strait of Hormuz
21:05 26.06.2025
Boat sinking on Niger-Benin border kills 13
20:45 26.06.2025
Erdogan: Türkiye negotiating its return to F-35 program with partners
20:25 26.06.2025
Paris honors Azerbaijani heroes who fought in France's WWII resistance
20:05 26.06.2025
Global energy CO2 emissions hit new record in 2024
19:45 26.06.2025
UN special rapporteur calls planned election of Myanmar's military junta 'mirage'
19:35 26.06.2025
Iran's supreme leader threatens US
19:20 26.06.2025
Erdogan: Türkiye must create multi-layer air defense system
19:05 26.06.2025
Erdogan says Trump will join Ukraine peace talks in Türkiye if Putin attends
18:45 26.06.2025
Azerbaijan discusses wind energy projects with Chinese company
18:25 26.06.2025
Armenia arrests 15 people on charges of coup attempt
18:15 26.06.2025
EXPLAINER – War with Iran: Financial fallout for Israel, US
18:00 26.06.2025
Turkish president praises Trump for Iran-Israel ceasefire, urges similar push for Gaza, Ukraine conflicts
17:45 26.06.2025
Hamısı