“Repatriation of Refugees to Their Homeland: European Experience” (Meetings in the Czech Republic)

On October 5, 2025, under the organization of the International Diaspora Center (IDC) and with financial support from the State Agency for Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a large-scale exhibition was held in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, as part of the project “Repatriation of Refugees to Their Homeland: European Experience.” The event took place at Křížovnické náměstí (“Cross Square”) in the city center.

According to bdmxeber.az, Ismayil Agayev, Chairman of the International Diaspora Center, stated that the main purpose of the exhibition was to present historical documents and facts related to deportation to the international community, as well as to provide residents of Prague and visiting tourists with comprehensive information about acts of vandalism and attacks on cultural heritage. He noted that the key objective of the project is to study European experiences regarding the return of refugees to their homeland, protect their rights, and prepare recommendations to address problems they face in the countries where they reside.

The exhibition displayed brochures in English and Czech, pins, flags of Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic, roll-up stands, books, and pamphlets on the subject of deportation. Of particular interest to visitors were materials related to Western Azerbaijan preserved over the years by Irada Rizazade, Chairwoman of the Public Association for Social Welfare of Citizens, and books by Tahir Emiraslanov, former director of the Azerbaijan National Culinary Center.

The event was attended by notable figures including Dr. Alexander Shapiro Suliman, Secretary-General of the International Innovative Center for Intercultural Life – Alliance of the Peoples of the World and Peace Ambassador, former Czech Minister of Education Vladimír Balaš, former senator Marcel Chládek, and other prominent public figures. The organization of the exhibition was directly supported by Dr. Alexander Shapiro Suliman. In addition, many NGOs actively participated, including Rauf Zeyni, Chair of the Baku NGO Resource and Training Center, Farid Amiraliyev, founder of the diaspora organization “Land of Fire” and Coordinator of the Eastern Europe Coordination Council of the Azerbaijani Diaspora in the Czech Republic, as well as diaspora activists Murad Sadigov, Rashid Shikhaliyev, Imam Azizov, Ali Aleshrefoff, and other young participants.

During the exhibition, an interesting incident occurred: two individuals posing as tourists from Armenia attempted to spread false information about Western Azerbaijan and Karabakh to visitors, but the activists of the International Diaspora Center and our compatriots promptly prevented this provocation. The event concluded with commemorative photographs.

Activities under the project continued in the following days. On October 8, 2025, a delegation of the International Diaspora Center — Chairman Ismayil Agayev, Board Member Rauf Zeyni, and Coordinator of the Eastern Europe Coordination Council of the Azerbaijani Diaspora Farid Amiraliyev — held a series of official meetings at the Senate of the Czech Republic. During these meetings, extensive discussions took place with former Czech Minister of Education and former Senator Marcel Chládek, and Jana Hauserová, First Secretary of the Senate Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Human Rights, and Social Affairs.

It was noted that the Senate’s Human Rights Office would inform all senators about the activities of the International Diaspora Center and prepare recommendations on the topic “Return of Western Azerbaijanis to Their Homeland: European Experience.” During the meetings, the Azerbaijani delegation presented carpets, brochures, a film on the “Return Concept of Western Azerbaijanis,” books, souvenirs, and a Western Azerbaijan tea collection, while the Czech side reciprocated with gifts.

Ismayil Agayev briefed participants on the projects and research conducted regarding the return of Western Azerbaijanis to their ancestral lands and emphasized the importance of studying European experiences. Rauf Zeyni highlighted the necessity of promoting patriotism within diaspora activities and strengthening solidarity among Azerbaijani communities in European countries.

The next stage of the project continued on October 9, 2025, when the IDC delegation visited the Czech Institute of Information, Robotics, and Cybernetics (CIIRC) under the Czech Technical University. Director Mgr. Ondřej Velek, Ph.D., warmly welcomed the Azerbaijani delegation and stressed the significance of this meeting for advancing cooperation in science, education, and technology.

Ismayil Agayev presented the institute leadership and participants with the documentary film “Deportation of Western Azerbaijanis,” as well as books and brochures reflecting the cultural heritage, history, and national cuisine of Western Azerbaijan. The Western Azerbaijan Exhibition organized within the meeting drew considerable interest from institute staff and visitors.

Rauf Zeyni emphasized the importance of scientific collaboration and the promotion of national identity values among youth in strengthening diaspora diplomacy. The meeting was held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere, during which the parties discussed future cooperation opportunities and joint humanitarian initiatives.

The event concluded with the presentation of commemorative gifts, as well as a tour of the institute’s laboratories and research centers. Overall, the activities carried out by the International Diaspora Center in Prague and various scientific and political centers in the Czech Republic made a significant contribution to strengthening Azerbaijani diaspora diplomacy, preserving the historical memory of Western Azerbaijanis, and promoting international recognition of their rightful return to their ancestral lands.