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REP. COSTA: AZERI AUTHORITIES RELENTLESSLY COVER UP TRAGIC EVENTS IN SUMGAIT
PanARMENIAN.Net
March 14, 2012 - 11:04 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Last week, Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) of Fresno
issued a strong statement commemorating the recent anniversary of
Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing of its Armenian community in Sumgait
in February 1988.
He joins with a bipartisan group of other Members of Congress in
commemorating the massacres, including colleagues from the California
Congressional delegation such as Reps. Anna Eshoo (D), Howard Berman
(D), Brad Sherman (D), Judy Chu (D), and Adam Schiff (D), reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
"With Congressman Costa joining his colleagues in commemorating the
Sumgait massacres, he adds yet another principled voice to the chorus
of legislators who have publicly expressed support for human rights,
democracy, and the peaceful resolution of regional disputes," said
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Along with friends of Armenia
from across California's Central Valley, we voice our gratitude to
Congressman Costa for challenging Azerbaijan's past aggression and
standing up to its leaders' present-day threats to restart their war
against Armenia and Artsakh."
In his statement, Rep. Costa discussed the pogroms in the broader
context of often violent Azerbaijani oppression against its Armenian
population, especially in the Nagorno Karabakh region where the
community had been peacefully petitioning for democratic freedom and
an end to state-supported discrimination.
"Azerbaijani rioters murdered, raped and maimed Armenians, throwing
women and children from windows and burning victims alive. While
some estimate that more than 30 individuals were killed and more
than 200 injured, others estimate that hundreds were murdered. The
Soviets banned journalists from entering the area and, for two
decades, Azerbaijani authorities relentlessly covered up, ignored
and whitewashed these tragic events.
Even worse, many believe the atrocities were officially sanctioned
by Azerbaijani authorities to send a clear message to the Armenians,
who were peacefully demonstrating against Azerbaijani repression and
discrimination in Nagorno Karabakh just days before the massacre.
The anniversary of this horrifying moment in history serves as yet
another call to action to build a more peaceful and just world. The
United States must stand firmly against repression and human rights
abuses," Rep. Costa said.
From: A. Papazian
PanARMENIAN.Net
March 14, 2012 - 11:04 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Last week, Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) of Fresno
issued a strong statement commemorating the recent anniversary of
Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing of its Armenian community in Sumgait
in February 1988.
He joins with a bipartisan group of other Members of Congress in
commemorating the massacres, including colleagues from the California
Congressional delegation such as Reps. Anna Eshoo (D), Howard Berman
(D), Brad Sherman (D), Judy Chu (D), and Adam Schiff (D), reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
"With Congressman Costa joining his colleagues in commemorating the
Sumgait massacres, he adds yet another principled voice to the chorus
of legislators who have publicly expressed support for human rights,
democracy, and the peaceful resolution of regional disputes," said
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Along with friends of Armenia
from across California's Central Valley, we voice our gratitude to
Congressman Costa for challenging Azerbaijan's past aggression and
standing up to its leaders' present-day threats to restart their war
against Armenia and Artsakh."
In his statement, Rep. Costa discussed the pogroms in the broader
context of often violent Azerbaijani oppression against its Armenian
population, especially in the Nagorno Karabakh region where the
community had been peacefully petitioning for democratic freedom and
an end to state-supported discrimination.
"Azerbaijani rioters murdered, raped and maimed Armenians, throwing
women and children from windows and burning victims alive. While
some estimate that more than 30 individuals were killed and more
than 200 injured, others estimate that hundreds were murdered. The
Soviets banned journalists from entering the area and, for two
decades, Azerbaijani authorities relentlessly covered up, ignored
and whitewashed these tragic events.
Even worse, many believe the atrocities were officially sanctioned
by Azerbaijani authorities to send a clear message to the Armenians,
who were peacefully demonstrating against Azerbaijani repression and
discrimination in Nagorno Karabakh just days before the massacre.
The anniversary of this horrifying moment in history serves as yet
another call to action to build a more peaceful and just world. The
United States must stand firmly against repression and human rights
abuses," Rep. Costa said.
From: A. Papazian