Abstract
<jats:p>"This article provides a detailed analysis of the historical and legal aspects concerning Azerbaijanis deported from Western Azerbaijan, as well as the issue of their repatriation-their right to return to their ancestral landswithin the context of international law and human rights. It examines the historical and cultural significance of Western Azerbaijan for Azerbaijanis, alongside the causes and consequences of the systematic deportation policies carried out in these territories, emphasizing that the process involved not only physical violence but also the deliberate destruction of Azerbaijanis’ historical and cultural heritage, toponyms, and religious monuments. The legal dimension of these events is analyzed within the framework of international human rights standards and the prohibition of ethnic cleansing. The article also highlights the crucial role of the diaspora in addressing the Western Azerbaijan issue, evaluating the activities of diaspora organizations within international platforms-such as information campaigns, legal advocacy, and lobbying efforts-under the framework of Türkiye-Azerbaijan cooperation, presenting such collaboration as a key mechanism for securing international recognition of the rights of Western Azerbaijanis and ensuring their safe return to their homeland. In addition, the diaspora plays an irreplaceable role in drawing international attention to this issue and exposing human rights violations caused by the Armenian occupation. In conclusion, the article notes that the repatriation of Western Azerbaijanis is not merely a legal claim but also a matter of strategic importance for restoring national memory and ensuring lasting peace in the region, emphasizing that successful implementation requires active and coordinated diaspora engagement alongside strong political and diplomatic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, thereby illuminating the repatriation issue from legal, historical, and socio-political perspectives and underlining the necessity of enabling Western Azerbaijanis to return to their ancestral lands."</jats:p>