Political scientist: Statements by reps of France and Germany at UN Security Council meeting indicate growth of Islamophobia

One of the factors behind the unfounded accusations against Azerbaijan during the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Karabakh by a number of countries is the spread of Islamophobia, British political scientist and journalist Neil Watson told Report.

“In my view, the comments of several UN countries, including France and Germany are not solely due to Islamophobia, but due to Armenia’s successful propagation of its myths regarding the so-called ‘genocide’ of 1915 and its claims to be a bastion of Christianity amidst a sea of ‘hostile’ Islam,” he said.

“The fact is that it continually claims that ‘genocides’ are taking place or being planned against it, and unfortunately the West, which has little understanding of the former Soviet Union, tends to believe the Armenian narrative, particularly as there are so many members of the Armenian diaspora implanted in media, politics and business. Furthermore, anti-Azerbaijani and anti-Turkish comments are often made to placate the Armenian diaspora and to gain their support in elections, particularly in France and the US,” Watson noted.

“There is an imperative necessity for Azerbaijan to win the peace, to make its narrative and rightful position in international law known and the realities of Azerbaijani multiculturalism and inclusivity understood across the world.”