Dissatisfaction arose within the local Azerbaijani community due to the inclusion of the “International Security” section in the Dutch government’s agenda, which referred to the liberation of Azerbaijani territories as the “occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh.” The community expressed that this characterization contradicts international law and undermines Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In response, the Union of Azerbaijani Women in the Netherlands, “Ana Veten,” organized a meeting with Dutch parliamentarians to address the issue. They also prepared a petition to gather wider support, aiming to raise awareness among both the local Azerbaijani citizens and the international community about the significance and sensitivity of the matter. The petition emphasized that this misrepresentation could harm Dutch-Azerbaijani relations and urged for a timely resolution.
The appeal to the Dutch Parliament was positively received, leading to a meeting between members of the Dutch Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and representatives of the Azerbaijani community. Participants included political figures such as Raymond de Roon (PVV), Isa Kahraman (NSC), Dogukan Ergin (DENK), and committee chair Jesse Klaver (GroenLinks-PvdA).
During the meeting, Azerbaijani diaspora organizations stressed the need for a balanced and fair perspective on the Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan’s victory in the Patriotic War. They urged the Dutch government, parliament, and media to avoid biased narratives and to ensure that the true causes and consequences of the conflict are accurately conveyed to the global audience.
Representatives from the Azerbaijani community also proposed that members of the Dutch Parliament visit Azerbaijan to witness the situation firsthand. They invited parliamentarians to visit the liberated territories to observe the aftermath of the destruction caused during the conflict.
The petition, supported by the 15,000-strong Azerbaijani community in the Netherlands, called for peaceful coexistence between Azerbaijanis and Armenians and underscored Azerbaijan’s commitment to living in harmony with neighboring countries. It also highlighted the global community’s neglect of the destruction of Azerbaijan’s cultural and historical heritage during the First Karabakh War, emphasizing the systematic damage to ancient monuments, mosques, and museums.
The petition further addressed the unresolved fate of around 4,000 Azerbaijanis who went missing or were captured during the First Karabakh War, noting that international organizations, including the UN and the Council of Europe, have not given adequate attention to this matter.
Diaspora representatives urged Dutch parliamentarians to ensure these issues are seriously addressed in relevant parliamentary sessions and committees.
After the meeting, informal discussions continued, during which DENK representative Dogukan Ergin expressed his continued support for the Azerbaijani people and the Azerbaijani community in the Netherlands.
For further details, please refer to the official parliamentary website, which provides more information on the registration of the appeal and the meeting.
