ANCC Calls on Minister Joly to Forcefully Condemn Azerbaijani Aggression

(OTTAWA – September 13, 2022) – Today, the Armenian National Committee of Canada issued the following statement in relation to Azerbaijan’s latest large-scale aggression against the Republic of Armenia.

On Tuesday, September 13, Azerbaijani Armed Forces began a large-scale attack against the Republic of Armenia, targeting the southeastern border of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

With the use of artillery, large-calibre firearms, missiles and drones, Azerbaijani forces have been targeting both military and civilian infrastructure, causing immense damage to areas that have a heavily concentrated civilian population. In a typical Azerbaijani fashion, the attacks have been indiscriminate with absolutely no regard for human life and the basic norms of international law.

Years of silence from the international community have once again emboldened the Baku dictatorship to unleash its terror against Armenia and Armenians, without concealing their true intentions to ethnically cleanse the region from its indigenous Armenian population.

We call on the Canadian Government and Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Melanie Joly to immediately issue a statement condemning Azerbaijan’s aggression, clearly distinguishing between the victim and the aggressor. Similarly, and in the spirit of close friendship and cooperation with Armenia, we call on the Minister to express Canada’s full support for Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

As a recognized member of the international community, Armenia cannot be left alone in its fight against Azerbaijan’s Turkish-backed terror. Now is the time to stand up for human rights and the basic norms of international law and once and for all, send a clear message to Azerbaijan that the use of force will not go unpunished.