VIDEO. Azerbaijani Authorities' Policies Manifesting in New Forms of Torture, Tatoyan

Azerbaijani authorities are inciting religious hostility at the state level, accusing us of Islamophobia with absolute falsehoods. This was stated by Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan on his Facebook page.

“How then can they explain, for instance, the important decree or firman issued by the founder of Islam, Muhammad, as early as 626 AD, after his visit to the Armenian Patriarch Abraham in Jerusalem with his 40 delegates, which established protection for churches, monasteries, including the Saint James Monastery in Jerusalem, educational institutions, and property in ‘Jerusalem, Damascus, and Arabian regions’? This has been preserved over time. Historical facts demonstrate our people’s, as well as the Armenian Church's, respect for Islam and other religions, starting from those countries where Islam is practiced.

The Armenian people have coexisted as friends for centuries with various nations that profess Islam. The policies of the Azerbaijani authorities incite hostility against Armenians living in countries where Islam is practiced. This is a provocation of enmity between peoples.

For example, the Upper and Lower mosques of Shushi remained standing and were preserved, while the Upper mosque and the medrese – the spiritual high school – underwent comprehensive renovation, and a park was constructed. There is an active mosque in Yerevan.

In contrast, Azerbaijani armed forces shelled and desecrated the Holy Savior Ghazanchetsots and Green Hour churches in Shushi, destroyed the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Mekhakavan, defiled the Holy Yeghishe Church in Mataghis, and obliterated Armenian khachkars in Shushi and Hadrut, among others.

The Armenian Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church in Baku has been desecrated, turned into a library storage, its cross removed from the dome, and there is no altar; gravestones that once existed near the church have been destroyed.

Currently, at the state level, everything is being done to change the ownership of Armenian churches and monasteries. This policy is already manifesting in new forms of torture inflicted on Armenian prisoners of war related to religious affiliation.

Therefore, these Azerbaijani statements are absolute falsehoods, politically motivated, and extremely dangerous for peace. All these facts are thoroughly presented in the report published by the Human Rights Defender two days ago and at this press conference,” he wrote.