VIDEO: 'This is both fake news and an expression of aggression' – Khajakyan to the Azerbaijani delegate at the Council of Europe

David Khajakyan, the chairman of the governing council of the Bright Armenia party, presented the issue of the violated rights of families displaced from Artsakh due to Azerbaijani aggression at the Congress of the Council of Europe, countering the false claims made by the Azerbaijani delegate.

“The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has expressed concern in its concluding observations regarding reports relating to Azerbaijan, a member of Europe, about the incitement of racial hatred against ethnic Armenians on social media, as well as by public figures and state officials. All of this ultimately shows that hate speech is a policy practiced by the highest authorities of Azerbaijan, which becomes particularly evident from the statements made by the President of the country, who has made threats against an entire region, Syunik,” Khajakyan stated.

Delegates at the Congress have not shied away from such expressions either. Anar Ibrahimov, head of the Azerbaijani delegation, posted a photo on his Twitter page distorting the reality. The reality is that the French embassy, in publishing the regions under Azerbaijani threat marked on the map of Armenia, advised against visits during those days, considering the renewed military aggression against Armenia since September 13. Mr. Ibrahimov referred to areas that are part of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia by fictitious names attributed to Azerbaijan, claiming that the French Foreign Ministry's call was directed at the so-called borders of Armenia from 1920. This is both fake news and an expression of aggression.

I urge my colleagues at the Congress to address the hate speech being voiced, which will not only contribute to the reduction of hate speech but also to the establishment of peace in the region, which we all strive for,” Khajakyan said.