Lezgins, Avars and Tsakhurs accuse Azerbaijan of carrying out ethnic cleansing

PanARMENIAN.Net - Lezgins, Avars and Tsakhurs, living in several regions of Azerbaijan warn about the threat of their total annihilation and deportation.



The statement issued by the Dagestani-speaking nations of Azerbaijan says in part,



"When Azerbaijan proclaimed independence Lezgins, Avars and Tsakhurs lived in their historical homeland. Understanding that the aborigine nations did not wish to live in a foreign state, Azerbaijan prevented conduction of a referendum and suppressed our leaders, using all kinds of state terrorism against our nations. We do confirm that during the 20th century Azerbaijan twice occupied our fatherland and accroached the power.



During Azerbaijan's aggression against Karabakh tens of thousands of our young men were forcibly sent to the front. Simultaneously, Azerbaijan continued repressions of our nations.



As a continuation of the cleansing, ethnic Azeris are appointed to state posts. Our intellectuals are arrested during regular police operations.



We call on the international community to take action to prevent the ongoing crimes and to initiate formation of autonomy for Lezgins, Avars and Tsakhurs. Indifference about our problems is pregnant with unforeseeable consequences for the entire Caucasus," rossia3.ru reports.