Azerbaijani Ombudsperson Sabina Aliyeva issued a statement in support of the implementation of the resolution of the UN General Assembly, "Combating the glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism and other practices that contribute to the escalation of modern forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance."
Report presents the text of the statement:
"Every year, May 9 is celebrated as Victory Day over fascism in World War II. In fact, it is a victory for all those affected by World War II, Nazism, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
"Unfortunately, today, the world community is witnessing the tendencies of the rise of Nazism in Armenia. One example of this is the erection in the capital of Armenia of a monument to Garegin Ter-Harutyunyan, an executioner and traitor nicknamed Garegin Nzhdeh, who served German fascists. The former ruling Republican Party of Armenia has also taken steps to perpetuate the memory of a controversial nationalist politician like Garegin Nzhdeh, who collaborated with the Third Reich.
"The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution "Combating the glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism and other practices that contribute to the escalation of modern forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance." In the resolution, the General Assembly expressed deep concern about the glorification in one form or another of former members of the movement of Nazism, neo-Nazism, and the Waffen SS organization, including the erection of monuments and memorials, holding mass demonstrations to promote the Nazi past, the movement of Nazism and neo-Nazism, propaganda of those who fought against the anti-Hitler coalition and persons who have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity collaborating with the Nazi movement by announcing or attempting to declare them participants in national liberation movements, perpetuating their names, naming streets after them.
"Despite this, the Ministry of Defense of Armenia even instituted a medal named after Garegin Nzhdeh to award military personnel and civilians.
"The indicated resolution shows that the UN expresses grave concern about the erection of monuments that could harm the society through the propaganda of Nazism, new forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. The world community is witnessing this in the perpetuation of Garegin Nzhdeh's memory in the capital of Armenia, Yerevan.
"Once again, we express our concern about the high level of Nazi propaganda in the Armenian society by the Armenian political leadership, and we call on all international human rights organizations to take the necessary steps to stop such activities directed against humanity. "