In order to commemorate the great tragedy that took place on February 26, 1992, in the city of Khojaly in the Karabakh Region of Azerbaijan—an event that has gone down in history as a dark stain on humanity—honor those who lost their lives with mercy and respect, and evaluate this major tragedy from historical, legal, and humanitarian perspectives, the “Khojaly Massacre Commemoration Panel” was organized through the cooperation of Gazi University, the Turkish World Research and Application Center (TÜRKDAM), the Foundation for the Research of the Turkish-Armenian Issue (TEKAR), the Turkish Hearths Çankaya Branch, and the Center for the Examination of Genocide Allegations (SİİM). The panel was held at the Rectorate, Mimar Kemaleddin Hall.

The program began with a moment of silence, followed by the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Türkiye. Among the attendees were our Rector Prof. Uğur Ünal, Undersecretary of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Türkiye Dr. Fuzuli Majidli, President of the TEKAR Foundation Ret. Brig. Gen. Ender Güner, Vice President of the TEKAR Foundation Attorney Arif Avcı, President of the Turkish Hearths Çankaya Branch Dr. Sadettin Erbaş, Director of Gazi TÜRKDAM Prof. Bülent Aksoy, as well as academics, students, and guests.

In his opening speech, TÜRKDAM Director Prof. Bülent Aksoy emphasized that Gazi University, as a rising value of the Turkish World, has demonstrated its sensitivity to the issue every year and has consistently organized meetings, panels, and commemoration ceremonies on February 26 to raise awareness among students and staff and to strengthen their historical consciousness regarding the Khojaly genocide. Prof. Bülent Aksoy thanked our Rector Prof. Uğur Ünal and the university administration, as well as TEKAR, SİİM, and the Turkish Hearths Çankaya Branch for their contributions to organizing the program.

Dr. Fuzuli Majidli, Undersecretary of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Türkiye, began his remarks by recalling the words of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: “Those who do not know their history and do not recognize their ancestors cannot determine their future.” Emphasizing the importance of drawing lessons from history, Majidli stated that the Khojaly Massacre was a genocide and that they continue their efforts for it to be recognized worldwide as a crime of genocide in legal and humanitarian terms. He underlined the significance of the great efforts made by Turkish journalists such as İrfan Sapmaz, who risked their lives to present the realities of the genocide to the world. Dr. Fuzuli Majidli concluded his speech by expressing that Türkiye and Azerbaijan will continue to exist under the motto “One nation, two states” and thanked everyone who contributed to the organization of the panel.

Our Rector Prof. Uğur Ünal stated that the genocides, persecutions, assassinations, occupations, and exiles committed by Armenians against Azerbaijani Turks throughout history are too numerous to count, and that from the beginning of the 20th century onward, Armenian forces periodically attacked Azerbaijani Turks. He noted that 613 Azerbaijani Turks were brutally killed in the Khojaly Massacre on February 26, 1992, but after nearly 30 years of longing for their homeland, the 2020 Karabakh Victory demonstrated to the entire world the unity of the Turkish people, their strength, and their independent character. Prof. Uğur Ünal concluded his remarks by stating: “However, our pursuit of justice continues. The perpetrators of the Khojaly massacre must be held accountable before justice. We will not forget, nor will we let others forget, what was done to our brothers and sisters. The Turkish nation, as it has for centuries, will continue to stand united to protect its homeland. May God preserve our unity. I pray for mercy upon the Khojaly martyrs of February 26, and upon all our Turkish brothers and sisters who were martyred in the Karabakh War and in the massacres that took place beforehand. I wish for our crescent-and-star Azerbaijani flag to wave forever over its homeland.” He also thanked all those who contributed to organizing this program aimed at strengthening the collective memory of the Turkish nation.

Following the opening speeches, the panel session was held under the moderation of TÜRKDAM Director Prof. Bülent Aksoy. After the speeches delivered by TEKAR Foundation President Ret. Brig. Gen. Ender Güner, TEKAR Foundation Vice President Attorney Arif Avcı, and Turkish Hearths Çankaya Branch President Dr. Sadettin Erbaş, the program concluded with a question-and-answer session.