25th Anniversary of Khojaly Massacre

Today, the 26th February 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the attack on the town of Khojaly in Azerbaijan by the invading Armenian forces. I express my sympathy to the families of the 613 men, women and children who were killed during this attack.We call on Armenian forces to end their occupation in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884. 

Flowers of remembrance and message of hope 

left at a memorial in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park.

The events in Khojaly are a sobering reminder of the terrible damage that can be inflicted in wartime and the enduring need for greater understanding, communication and tolerance among people around the world.

I understand that Azerbaijanis living in Scotland and around the globe observe 26th February every year as a day of remembrance, honouring the victims of the Khojaly massacre, and hope that, through highlighting the anniversary of the tragedy, international efforts to find a lasting peaceful resolution to this long-standing conflict will be renewed.