CANBERRA: Federal Member for Bennelong John Alexander MP has risen in Australia’s House of Representatives chamber to call out Azerbaijan’s attacks on Armenians in the Republics of Artsakh and Armenia and urge Turkey to “stop egging on” Baku’s escalation of violence, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU).
In September 2019, Alexander became the first Federal Australian parliamentarian to visit the Republic of Artsakh, earning him a place alongside many local and international political leaders on the persona non grata blacklist of Azerbaijan’s dictator, Ilham Aliyev, which he recently referred to as “an honour”.
The former world number eight-ranked tennis player reflected on Azerbaijan’s Turkey-backed attacks on the Armenian Republics of Artsakh and Armenia, which began on 27th September and continue to today.
He expressed regret that the people of Artsakh were now being subjected to cluster bomb attacks by Baku.
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“Last year I had the honour of visiting Artsakh and saw the daily struggles that people in this area go through,” Alexander said. “The people of Artsakh are resilient and determined, but just like any peace-loving nation, they should not be fearing for their lives from cluster bombs over their cities.”
Alexander also condemned Turkey’s involvement in Azerbaijan’s attacks, which has included open encouragement, the deployment of Ankara-backed Islamist jihadist mercenaries from Syria and air support.
“We must de-escalate this conflict now—not just the two countries on the ground, but more importantly, the other states on the periphery of this conflict who are encouraging it. Turkey must stop egging on Azerbaijan and escalating this conflict. Ongoing support from outside nations will only lead to more lives being lost,” he said.
Alexander concluded his Members Statement by calling for respect for the Republic of Artsakh’s right to self-determination.
“While we must first stop this dreadful war, we must look towards a sustainable future where the people of Artsakh can live in peace and self-determination,” he said.
ANC-AU Executive Director, Haig Kayserian praised Alexander for accurately referring to the attacks as attacks, and calling out the perpetrators in Azerbaijan and Turkey.
“It has been frustrating for Armenian-Australians that our Government and media have tried to peddle Baku’s preferred ‘false parity’ – suggesting both sides are somehow at fault – when referring to what is a blatant attempt by Azerbaijan and Turkey to rid Armenians from their indigenous lands,” said Kayserian.
“Mr. Alexander’s statement helps balance the ledger towards the truth, for which we are infinitely thankful and appreciative as a community.”
Last week, a statement from Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne expressed “concern” at the “renewed fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan around the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh”, which the Armenian-Australian community said was “disappointing”.
“Australia should not be on the wrong side of history on this issue,” Kayserian told The Guardian on Tuesday. “Failing to call out the attack which instigated the ensuing violence emboldens the dictatorship of Ilham Aliyev in Azerbaijan to continue inciting Armenophobic war crimes against Armenia and Artsakh.”
“We call upon the Australian Government to call crimes by name, and this was an attack by Azerbaijan backed by Turkey, who have supported with high-level weaponry and the deployment of Islamist jihadists previously fighting in Syria.”
Armenian National Committee of Australia