Tragedy of 20 January is a heroic page of Azerbaijan history

33 years have passed since the bloody event of 20th January 1990. Every year the tragedy of 20th January is widely memorized in Azerbaijan as the National Mourning day, which has entered the struggle for independence history of Azerbaijan as a heroic page. That day embodies the struggle of the Azerbaijani people for their freedom.

The longstanding recession in the Soviet Union was gradually replaced by an economic crisis. As a result of the government's failure to take practical measures for improving the social situation of citizens and other negative steps have increased justified discontent of people. On the other hand, the territorial claims of Armenia against Azerbaijan and the rise of tendencies of separatism in Nagorno-Karabakh have aggravated the already complicated social and political situation worst. In the background of the above factors, the ground was laid for the realization of the dream of the Azerbaijani people for independence.

Thus, on one side the revival of the national-freedom movement of the Azerbaijani people, and on the other side deterioration of the socio-political situation in the country gave a pretext for the leadership of the Soviet Union to take rough measures against Azerbaijan. On the night of January 19-20, 1990, Soviet troops entered Baku and opened fire on civilians protesting in the streets with heavy equipment and various weapons. That night 121 people in various districts of Baku were killed and more than 700 wounded by Soviet soldiers. In total 147 people were martyred during that period, 25 women and 20 children were among the wounded.

The tragedy of Bloody January, when the Soviet troops slaughtered civilians who raised their voices against injustice, was a crime not only against the Azerbaijani people but also against universal values and humanity.

No matter how tragic the January 1990 massacre was, it did not break the will of the Azerbaijani people, and their determination to fight for national liberation. On the contrary, the people became stronger and looked the enemy in the eye. The sons and daughters of the Motherland, who perished on that terrible night, wrote a bright page in the history of Azerbaijan and paved the way for the national freedom and independence of the people. That is why the tragedy of 20th January is a symbol of the freedom struggle of our people.

Every year the Azerbaijani people commemorate the tragedy of 20th January which leaves an indelible mark on his bloody memory, remember with deep respect the memory of his heroic sons, and will never forget this tragedy. 

May Allah have mercy on all the Martyrs!