Azerbaijan's Unesco envoy rejects Armenian claims on Julfa cemetery

To clarify some issues raised by Simon Maghakyan, as a nation suffering from the tragic consequences of the occupation of its territories, the protection of cultural heritage is always significant and sensitive issue for Azerbaijan. The accusation concerning the destruction of the Julfa cemetery is another attempt to mislead the international community from the aggravated facts of "cultural cleansing” carried out in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

Since the beginning of the 1990s, cultural and religious heritage representing the very richness of Azerbaijani culture have been savagely damaged and ruined by Armenia not only within the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the seven surrounding districts but also within the territory of Armenia itself. The destruction of the ancient Aga-Dede mosque and cemetery in the Masis region of Armenia is one of the many examples of cultural terrorism against the Azerbaijani population.

The government of Azerbaijan brought these issues to the attention of relevant international organisations, including Unesco, and requested monitoring missions through relevant institutional mechanisms. Despite all the efforts, due to the negative position of Armenia, which tried by all means to block this initiative, the missions were failed.

Azerbaijan strongly supports Unesco’s global mission and activities for promotion of dialogue and rapprochement of cultures. 

Note: Anar Karimov is Azerbaijan's permanent delegate to Unesco.