No One Should Endure Violence Like That Faced by Armenians, Say US Congress Members

Thirty years ago, a small Armenian girl was terrified and hiding in her grandmother's apartment as gangs roamed the streets of Baku. Her father stood at the door, knife in hand, ready to defend his family. This is reported by the Voice of America.

Today, Anna is no longer afraid; she is not hiding anymore but speaking out about what happened to Armenians. Among the speakers commemorating the 30th anniversary of the massacres of Armenians in Baku at an event in the United States Congress was political and social figure Anna Astvatsaturyan Trkoyan.

Having arrived in the US decades ago as a refugee, Anna referenced the massacres against Armenians in Baku within the context of her own experiences and historical events. According to her, despite the three decades that have passed since those days, the events continue to haunt her like a nightmare: "My childhood came to a halt in January 1990. I was only 11 years old at that time."

Several US Congress members speaking at the event emphasized that the tragedy which occurred 30 years ago is even more horrific given that those responsible have not been held accountable. "We all know that the Armenians in Baku were killed, tortured, and robbed, and tens of thousands of Armenians were forced to leave their homes, while the leadership of Azerbaijan has still not been held accountable," said Congressman T.J. Cox in his speech.

Today’s Azerbaijan attributes the events of thirty years ago to the leadership of the Soviet Union. Baku reminds that Azerbaijanis living in Soviet Armenia were also forced to leave their homes. Regardless of everything, however, the judgment of history will reveal all, states Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who co-authored the resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide in the House of Representatives with Adam Schiff. "No person should have to endure such violence as was faced by Armenians at that time."

Regarding the massacres of Armenians in Baku, the Armenian Ambassador to the US Varuzhan Nersesyan suggested viewing them in a broader context as Azerbaijan's response to the peaceful protests of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, which Stalin’s Soviet regime had handed over to Azerbaijan. Today, the United States needs to reaffirm its commitment to the values of peace and democracy, which in this case means standing alongside Armenia, believes Congresswoman Judy Chu. Congresswoman Jackie Speier, who has Armenian roots, adds that the fight will never cease: "Our cause is just, and justice will ultimately prevail."