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www.justiceforkhojaly.org
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA. HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 104
(By Delegates Walters, Ambler, Anderson, Arvon, Ashley, Barill, Border, Canterbury, Cowles,
Eldridge, Ellem, Evans, D., Ferns, Hamilton, Hamrick, Hunt, Iaquinta, Marcum, McCuskey, Nel-
son, E., Pasdon, Raines, Shott, Smith, R., Storch, Stowers and Sumner)
Recognizing the many contributions made by citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan and
that it is in the best interest of the State of West Virginia to promote relationships with the Azer-
baijani people.
WHEREAS, February 26, 2013, marks the twenty-first anniversary of the Khojaly Massacre
in Azerbaijan and the observance of this somber date inspires reflection by individuals across the
globe; and
WHEREAS, On February 25 and February 26, 1992, Armenian armed forces, accompanied
by Russian military troops, occupied the town of Khojaly as part of the bitter warfare that had been
taking place in the Nagorno-Karabakh region since 1988; and
WHEREAS, When a large group of Azerbaijani civilians attempted to evacuate the area,
they were fired on by the Armenian and Russian soldiers, resulting in the largest massacre of that
bloody conflict; estimates of the exact number of people killed vary from 160 to as many as 1,000,
with many women and children among the dead; and
WHEREAS, The massacre was reported by major news organizations and has been viewed
by the Human Rights Watch as a violation of customary law regarding the treatment of civilians in
war zones and numerous governments around the world have condemned the attack; and
WHEREAS, This tragic event is a sobering reminder of the terrible carnage that can be in-
flicted in wartime and the enduring need for greater understanding, communication and tolerance
among people the world over; and
WHEREAS, The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America are long-standing
allies, both dearly cherishing the universal values of freedom, democracy and human rights; and
WHEREAS, The State of West Virginia and the Republic of Azerbaijan enjoy a strong, vi-
brant and mutually beneficial economic relationship with the prospect of further growth; and