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Spring 1997 (5.1)
The world should know that of
all the countries on earth, Azerbaijan has the highest ratio
of refugees per capita. No other country in the world has such
a great proportion of refugees. Out of Azerbaijan's total population
of 7.5 million people, 1 million are refugees. Nearly one out
of every seven people living in Azerbaijan is a refugee.
Nevertheless, they need to begin.
They need to start this new life in their motherland - in the
lands that they grew up on, as did their parents and grandparents.
We challenge the world community to join us in putting an end
to this disruptive displacement. Self Portraits - Refugees
Take Their Own Photos of their Lives
(1994) and (1997) Back to Index
AI 5.1 (Spring 1997) |
Right:
Before the age of six, this young boy had lost his home twice
due to the Karabakh conflict. On the road between Lachin and
Shusha (1991). Photo. Litvin.
These
occupied territories ought to be liberated. Of course, the majority
of the refugees' homes and villages, schools and hospitals, towns
and cities in this region have been entirely destroyed - burned,
bombed, ransacked and stripped of their belongings. What awaits
these people when they are able to return to their native land
will not be the most joyous life. Many will have to start over
withnothing in their hands.