menu_open Columnists
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Armenia's narratives on Western Azerbaijanis debunked by new survey

6 23
29.01.2025

On January 8, 2025, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated that Azerbaijanis left Armenia voluntarily during the Soviet Union's collapse, asserting that they departed in a "civilized manner," with many exchanging apartments and receiving compensation. His comments, however, contradict both historical accounts and recent research.

A few days ago, prior to Mirzoyan’s statement, former Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan's 1993 comments came to light, admitting that ethnic cleansing was systematically pursued by Armenia against Western Azerbaijanis, aiming for demographic advantage. Ter-Petrosyan’s admission, alongside Mirzoyan's claim, exposed a significant disparity between official narratives and historical facts.

To challenge Mirzoyan's claim, the Center for Social Research conducted a survey among 1,000 Western Azerbaijanis who were expelled from their historical lands before and during 1988. The findings reveal stark contradictions to the Armenian Foreign Minister’s statements, affirming that Western Azerbaijanis were victims of forced expulsion and violence, not voluntary migration.

Findings from the Sociological Survey:

Forced Expulsion, Not Voluntary Migration: A resounding 93.1% of respondents affirmed that they were forced to leave their homes due to violence, pressure, and threats, directly challenging the Armenian government’s narrative of voluntary departure. Only a small percentage (0.7%) of individuals who had migrated prior to 1988 stated that they left........

© AzerNews