Azerbaijani anti Armenian textbook examination to be in the agenda of PACE autumn session

YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, ARMENPRESS: The autumn session of Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe is scheduled to take place October 1-5. As PACE Armenian delegation member “Prosperous Armenia “ faction representative Naira Zohrabyan told at the briefing with Armenpress, though the staff of the delegation is not approved, it is going to comprise RPA - Davit Harutyunyan, “ Rule of law” party – Mher Shageldyan, RPA member Vahe Hovhannisyan is set to substitute the main staff. “As long as the composition of the delegation is not finally confirmed, I can say nothing about the rest members. The agenda is also not approved, yet it is defined, that the issues pertain to Azerbaijani political prisoners is going to be envisaged in autumn session” Zohrabyan came forth with.

In addition, Armenian delegation member is set to send a document to Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe, demanding international expertise of Azerbaijani textbooks. “ I have raised the question still during July session, stressing Azerbaijani textbooks directly propagandize hatred towards Armenians. As samples I brought Russian translation of the texts, where Armenians are described as murderers for Azerbaijani people. Those examples together with relevant translations will be sent to Human Rights Commissioner in coming two weeks” Zohrabyan noted.

In the words of the interlocutor a draft calling EC member states draw a special attention to school textbooks, in order they would not comprise xenophobia, racism and religious hatred was circulated in July session . In this regard we want to show off, if drafts are ratified, then the initiators should be consistent in their fulfillment: reportedly Azerbaijan brings up its generation with hatred towards Armenians. I am going to attach a letter written by an Azerbaijani woman to the document .The author of the letter is afraid her child will grow sadist by being brought up with the vivid samples of hatred towards Armenians depicted in the school textbooks” Zohrabyan stated.

PACE summer session took place on June 25-29.Conditioned to the formation of new Assembly Armenian delegation participated by its former composition of the delegation: delegation head Davit Harutyunyan, members of Armen Rustamyan, Naira Zohrabyan, Artsruni Aghajanian, while the team substitute made : Zaruhi Postanjyan , Grigori Margaryan, Hermine Naghdalyan, Armen Melikyan.

The themes on the growth of crisis, racism, xenophobia and extremism in Europe were thoroughly discussed during PACE summer session. The issue of EC member states political prisoners was also touched upon, in this regard PACE legal commission adopted a report on “Azerbaijani political prisoners’ existence” which is scheduled to be envisaged at PACE autumn session.