The Azerbaijani community has brought the realities surrounding Karabakh to the attention of the Dutch Parliament, AzVision.az reports.
The presentation of the liberation of Azerbaijani territories in the "International Security" section of the Dutch government's agenda was met with serious discontent from the local Azerbaijani community, particularly when it referred to the situation as the "occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh."
The community expressed that this characterization contradicts international law and undermines Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, prompting active responses from Azerbaijani diaspora organizations.
In light of this, the Union of Azerbaijani Women in the Netherlands "Ana Veten" called for a meeting with Dutch parliamentarians to elevate the issue, preparing a petition aimed at garnering broad support. The petition seeks to raise awareness among both local Azerbaijani citizens and the international community about the importance and sensitivity of the matter. Recognizing that the situation could negatively impact Dutch-Azerbaijani relations, it is crucial to address the issue promptly.
A positive response was received regarding the appeal directed to the parliament, leading to a meeting between members of the Dutch Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Azerbaijani community. Attendees included representatives from various political parties, such as Raymond de Roon (PVV), Isa Kahraman (NSC), Dogukan Ergin (DENK), and the committee chair, Jesse Klaver (GroenLinks-PvdA).
During the meeting, Azerbaijani diaspora organizations emphasized the need for an objective and fair stance on the Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan’s victory in the Patriotic War. They stressed that the Dutch government, parliament, and media should avoid a one-sided approach, highlighting the necessity of conveying the true causes and consequences of the conflict to the global community.
Diaspora representatives underscored the importance of disseminating factual information to foster a better understanding of these issues, urging the Netherlands to adopt a clear and principled position.
Additionally, the Azerbaijani side proposed that the Dutch Parliament visit Azerbaijan to examine the facts on the ground. Parliament members were invited to undertake an official visit to liberated territories to witness the consequences of the crimes committed there.
The petition prepared on behalf of the 15,000-strong Azerbaijani community in the Netherlands expressed a desire to live peacefully with Armenians and highlighted the Azerbaijani people's commitment to coexistence with neighboring countries. It noted the indifference of the global community towards acts of vandalism committed against Azerbaijan's historical and cultural heritage during the First Karabakh War, emphasizing the systematic destruction of ancient Azerbaijani monuments, mosques, museums, and other cultural sites.
The petition also addressed the fate of around 4,000 Azerbaijanis who went missing or were captured during the First Karabakh War, informing parliament members that there is still no information regarding these individuals, leaving their fate unresolved. It was pointed out that international organizations, including the UN and the Council of Europe, have not given this matter the necessary attention.
The diaspora representatives urged Dutch parliament members to ensure these issues are discussed seriously in the relevant committees and sessions.
Following the meeting, informal discussions continued among participants, with DENK representative Dogukan Ergin emphasizing his unwavering support for the Azerbaijani people and the Azerbaijani community in the Netherlands.
For more details, you can visit the official parliamentary website regarding the registration of this appeal and the meeting:
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/debat_en_vergadering/commissievergaderingen/details?id=2024A06861
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