Representatives of Azerbaijan's Civil Society Send Open Letter to US Vice President

Representatives of Azerbaijan's civil society have sent an open letter to Vice President of the United States of America JD Vance.

AZERTAC presents the full text of the letter:

"Dear Mr. Vice President,

We address you as representatives of a nation that has served as a bridge between civilizations for centuries. This is a land where the call to prayer and the ringing of church bells merge in the harmony of genuine coexistence. Azerbaijan remains steadfast in its commitment to the spiritual and traditional values that form the foundation of any stable society - the sanctity of family, the preservation of heritage, and the protection of religious freedom.

In light of the current US administration's firm commitment to the principles of religious freedom and interfaith dialogue, we proudly emphasize Azerbaijan's centuries-old legacy as a model of interfaith harmony and tolerance.

Our country's relations with the Christian world are not only diplomatic but also deeply cultural in nature. Azerbaijan has historically invested in protecting diverse religious heritage, including extensive restoration of Christian churches and shrines in the Vatican.

We take immense pride in the development of ties with the Holy See and the growing presence of various Christian denominations within our borders. Azerbaijan continues to expand space for religions to flourish - from the active work of the Catholic community to the recent opening of "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" in Baku. Our commitment is further confirmed by the ongoing construction of a second Catholic church in our capital, demonstrating our conviction that religious diversity strengthens society.

However, the path to our current peace has been marked by great losses. We must remember the historical injustice faced by Western Azerbaijanis, who since 1987 have been forcibly expelled from their ancestral lands in Armenia.

Hundreds of villages were devastated, homes looted, and sacred places, including the historic Blue Mosque in Yerevan, were desecrated or stripped of their identity.

Despite decades of integration in Azerbaijan, the aspiration to visit ancestral graves and restore destroyed homes remains a peaceful, humanitarian aspiration of our people.

Western Azerbaijanis have no territorial claims. Their goal is not to challenge Armenia's sovereignty, but to exercise the fundamental human right to return to their roots in conditions of peace and dignity. We stand at a historic crossroads. The joint declaration signed on August 8, 2025, in Washington serves as a beacon of hope. We fully support the shared vision of President Ilham Aliyev and US President Donald Trump that decades-long disagreements must give way to a future based on trade, security, and mutual respect.

Mr. Vice President, we ask for your support in upholding the right of return and preservation of the cultural heritage of Azerbaijanis expelled from the Republic of Armenia in the early 1990s.

Your support for the peaceful return of Western Azerbaijanis to their historic homeland and the restoration of destroyed religious and cultural monuments of the Azerbaijani people in Armenia could be an important step in the right direction.

Furthermore, we believe that a truly comprehensive peace must take into account the right of return of Azerbaijanis forcibly expelled from their ancestral lands in Armenia.

Although the Western Azerbaijan Community seeks constructive dialogue on the issue of peaceful return, these efforts have not yet found a response.

Ultimately, a just and lasting peace must include peace and the safe return of these people to their native homes.

Your leadership and clear moral guidance can ensure that the "peace of 2025" becomes a permanent reality for every family in the Caucasus.

With respect and sincerity,

Representatives of Azerbaijan's civil society:

1. Ramil Iskenderli - Chairman of the Board of the National Forum of NGOs of Azerbaijan

2. Oguz Mammadov - Chairman of the Public Association "Zangi - Study of Historical Heritage"

3. Fuad Mammadov - Chairman of the Presidium of the Azerbaijan Culture Association "Simurgh"

4. Khatira Valiyeva - Member of the Board of the National Forum of NGOs of Azerbaijan

5. Rizvan Nabiyev - Member of the Board of the Public Association "Legal Analysis and Research"

6. Tanzila Rustamkhanli - Chairwoman of the "Azerbaijani-Turkish Women's Union"

7. Novella Jafarova - Chairwoman of the Public Association "D. Aliyeva Society for the Protection of Women's Rights of Azerbaijan"

8. Saadat Bananyarli - Chairwoman of the Public Association "Azerbaijan National Branch of the International Society for Human Rights"

9. Saltanat Gojamanli - Chairwoman of the Public Association "Protection of Human Rights and Legality"

10. Sevinj Alizade - Chairwoman of the Public Association for Support of Martyrs' Families "Zafar"

11. Amir Aliyev - Chairman of the Public Association "Center for the Promotion of Human Rights"

12. Alimamed Nuriyev - Head of the "Constitution" Research Foundation

13. Zaur Mammadov - Chairman of the Baku Club of Political Scientists

14. Rey Gasimov - Chairman of the Association of Mine Victims in Azerbaijan

15. Hafiz Safikhanov - Head of the Public Association "Azerbaijan Campaign Against Mines"

16. Zaur Ibrahimli - Chairman of the Public Association "Center for Socio-Economic Research 'Priority'"

17. Khatai Alasgarov - Chairman of the Public Association "Hearth of Dede Alasgar"

18. Konul Behbudova - Chairwoman of the Public Association "Families of Missing Persons in Karabakh"

19. Ayaz Mirzoyev - Chairman of the Public Association "Network of Azerbaijani Journalists"

20. Dilgam Ahmed - Chairman of the Public Association "National Center for Heritage Research 'Chapar'"

21. Haji Abdullah - Chairman of the Public Association "Zangezur Society"

22. Fariz Khalilli - Chairman of the Public Association for the Promotion of Cultural Heritage Studies "Miras"

23. Umud Rahimoglu - Chairman of the International Eurasian Press Foundation

24. Mubariz Asgarov - Chairman of the Public Association for Support of National Values "Objective"

25.