Armenians of Argentina Rally to Remember Sumgait, Baku, and Kirovabad Pogroms

BUENOS AIRES (Agencia Prensa Armenia) — During the night of February 26 a rally and demonstration was held outside the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Argentina to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the beginning of the massacres of Armenians in the Azeri cities of Sumgait, Baku and Kirovabad.

The demonstration was organized by Armenian Youth Federation of South America (AYF) and Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts(Homenetmen). “The massacres of Sumgait, Baku and Kirovabad were the continuation of the plan of ethnic cleansing that began during the Armenian Genocide,” said Axel Costanian, member of AYF. “The denial and violation of human rights matrix on which both States were built remain today,” said Costanian in his speech.

“Today, Turkey and Azerbaijan fill their jails with journalists and activists. Azerbaijan threatens to resume war against the Republics of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Turkey supports the Islamic State and hinders the peace process in Syria. Azerbaijan uses blacklists to prosecute those who challenge the authorities. Turkey harasses intellectuals with the infamous article 301 of the penal code, the same they used to condemn Hrant Dink. And we can not forget the persecution of Kurdish people, especially the Peoples’ Democratic Party,” concluded Costanian.