“I am honoured to be here to commemorate the anniversary of Khojaley Genocide against humanity in Azerbaijan.”
Speaking to Ednews, Dr. Mohammed Shakeel Ahmed, Executive Director Global Strategic Institute for Sustainable Development (GSISD) noted that the Khojaly genocide led by Armenia is one of the most terrible and tragic humanitarian destruction in the history of humanity appeared in Azerbaijan.
“The leader of Azherbaijan Heydar Aliyev termed it, the most dreadful mass terror act in the history of humankind. On this day, we honor those who were murdered and reflect on the suffering and resilience of those who survived. Today we stand in solidarity with the people of Azerbaijan, we stand with humanity against genocide in all its forms and ingredients. As we renew our resolve to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again, we are seeing dangerous trends of rising xenophobia, racism and intolerance in many parts of the world,” Dr. Mohammed Shakeel Ahmed said, calling this massacre a ‘crime against humanity’.
“The roots of genocides like the idea of otherization, violence, hate are affront to our values, and threaten human rights, social stability, Sustainability and peace. Today’s commemoration gives us an opportunity to once again raise our voices against Genocides in all its forms including racism, xenophobia and related intolerance, including social and ethnic discrimination and anti-Semitism. Wherever they occur, these evils should be identified, confronted and stopped to prevent and safeguard people, planet, peace and prosperity for all,” he added.
Dr. Mohammed Shakeel Ahmed calls on all political, religious and civil society leaders to reject hate speech and discrimination, and to work vigorously to address and mitigate the root causes that undermine social cohesion and create conditions for hatred and intolerance.The capacity for evil resides in all societies, but, so too-do the qualities of understanding, kindness, justice and reconciliation and take part in rooting out the roots of genocides.
“On this day of commemoration, let us all pledge to work together to build a harmonious future for all people, everywhere. By resolving the hindrances behind sustianbility, together we can make the planet more inclusive and sustainable place for dignified living by leaving no one behind. This is the best way to honour those who lost their lives and suffered in Khojaley Genocide in Azerbaijan,” Executive Director said at the end.
