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Destruction of Azerbaijani historic monuments

Motion for a recommendation | Doc. 11501 | 22 January 2008

Signatories:
Ms Ganira PASHAYEVA, Azerbaijan, EDG ; Mr Ruhi AÇIKGÖZ, Turkey, EDG ; Mr Lokman AYVA, Turkey, EPP/CD ; Mr Jean-Guy BRANGER, France ; Mr Mevlüt ÇAVUŞOĞLU, Turkey, EDG ; Mr Vlad CUBREACOV, Republic of Moldova ; Ms Åse Gunhild Woie DUESUND, Norway ; Mr José FREIRE ANTUNES, Portugal ; Ms Gultakin HAJIBAYLI, Azerbaijan, EPP/CD ; Mr Joachim HÖRSTER, Germany, EPP/CD ; Mr Ivan Nikolaev IVANOV, Bulgaria ; Mr Ertuğrul KUMCUOĞLU, Turkey, EDG ; Mr Slaven LETICA, Croatia ; Mr Eduard LINTNER, Germany ; Mr Arthur LOEPFE, Switzerland ; Mr Younal LOUTFI, Bulgaria ; Mr José MENDES BOTA, Portugal, EPP/CD ; Mr Murat MERCAN, Turkey ; Mr Valeriy PYSARENKO, Ukraine, EPP/CD ; Mr Samad SEYIDOV, Azerbaijan, EDG ; Mr Rainder STEENBLOCK, Germany ; Mr Mehmet TEKELİOĞLU, Turkey, EPP/CD ; Mr Tuğrul TÜRKEŞ, Turkey, EDG ; Ms Özlem TÜRKÖNE, Turkey, EPP/CD ; Mr Mustafa ÜNAL, Turkey, EPP/CD
Thesaurus

Historic monuments represent a cultural heritage of nations and their protection is a must for our common European values to flourish.

It is now twenty years since Azerbaijani historic monuments have been constantly destroyed by Armenia in the occupied Azerbaijani territories.

The numbers and scope of destruction is unprecedented for 21st century Europe:

  • Khojavend region of Azerbaijan (occupied by Armenia on 18 February 1992) 25 historic monuments, 12 religious monuments, and 112 cultural and educational centres;
  • Khojaly region of Azerbaijan (occupied by Armenia on 26 February 1992) 16 historic monuments, six religious monuments, and 112 cultural and educational centres;
  • Shusha of Azerbaijan (occupied by Armenia on 26 February 1992) 16 historic monuments, six religious monuments and 112 cultural and educational centres;
  • Lachin region of Azerbaijan (occupied by Armenia on 18 May 1992) 24 historic monuments, 21 religious monuments and 330 educational and cultural centres;
  • Kalbajar region of Azerbaijan (occupied by Armenia from 3 to 6 April 1993) 25historic monuments, five religious monuments and 269 educational and cultural centres;
  • Agdere region of Azerbaijan (occupied by Armenia on 17 June 1993) 178 educational and cultural centres, one religious monument;
  • Agdam region of Azerbaijan (occupied by Armenia on 23 July 1993) 13 historic monuments, 18 religious monuments and 237 educational and cultural centres;
  • Jabrail region of Azerbaijan (occupied by Armenia on 18 August 1993) 30 historic monuments, 36 religious monuments and 197 educational and cultural centres;
  • Fuzuli region of Azerbaijan (occupied by Armenia on 23 August 1993) 24 historic monuments, 20 religious monuments, 353 educational and cultural centres;
  • Gubadli region of Azerbaijan (occupied by Armenia on 31 August 1993) 33 historic monuments, 19 religious monuments, 143 educational and cultural centres;
  • Zengilan region of Azerbaijan (occupied by Armenia on 28-30 October 1993) 13 historic monuments, 19 religious monuments.

Having expressed its deep concern over the destruction of Azerbaijani historic monuments inconsistent with European values, the Assembly encourages the Committee of Ministers and Council of Europe member states:

  • to call immediately on the Council of Europe member states to take the necessary steps to influence Armenia to stop the destruction of Azerbaijani historic monuments in the occupied Azerbaijani territories;
  • to give a legal and political assessment to these actions by Armenia;
  • to call on Armenia to implement Resolution 1416 (2003) (demanding withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories).