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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, February 26, 2015, marks the 23rd anniversary of the |
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Khojaly Massacre in Azerbaijan, and the observance of this somber |
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date inspires reflection by individuals across the globe; and |
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WHEREAS, On February 25 and 26, 1992, Armenian armed forces, |
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accompanied by Russian military troops, occupied the town of |
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Khojaly as part of the bitter warfare that had been taking place in |
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the Nagorno-Karabakh region since 1988; and |
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WHEREAS, When a large group of Azerbaijani civilians |
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attempted to evacuate the area, they were fired on by the Armenian |
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and Russian soldiers, resulting in the largest massacre of that |
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bloody conflict; estimates of the exact number of people killed |
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vary from 160 to as many as 1,000, with many women and children |
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among the dead; and |
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WHEREAS, The massacre was reported by major news |
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organizations and has been viewed by the Human Rights |
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Watch/Helsinki organization as a violation of customary law |
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regarding the treatment of civilians in war zones; moreover, |
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numerous governments around the world have condemned the attack; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, This tragic event is a sobering reminder of the |
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terrible carnage that can be inflicted in wartime and the enduring |
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need for greater understanding, communication, and tolerance among |
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people the world over; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the Khojaly |
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Massacre in Azerbaijan. |