Mr. Speaker, I stand today to join our Armenian community across Canada to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the Sumgait pogrom and the 30th anniversary of the Baku pogrom.
During the waning days of the Soviet Union, Artsakh Armenians demanded reunification with Armenia and later the independence of Armenia. In response, Azeri nationalists carried out gross massacres in the city of Sumgait and the capital city of Baku. These massacres set a precedent for xenophobia, hatred and discrimination toward Armenians in Azerbaijan that unfortunately continues until today and impedes the Artsakh peace process.
These historic events should act as a strong reminder for Canada, that we must continue to defend human rights and stop crimes against humanity abroad.