Press release: Thirty-fifth anniversary of the "Black January” tragedy
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Azərbaycan Respublikasının |
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Permanent Mission |
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633 Third Avenue, Suite 3210, New York, N.Y. 10017 |
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Press release, 20 January 2025 Thirty-fifth anniversary of the "Black January” tragedy
On 20 January 2025, Azerbaijan commemorates the thirty-fifth anniversary of the “Black January” tragedy. On that day, thousands of people visit the Martyrs’ Alley in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, to pay tribute to those who became innocent victims of indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force and violence. At the end of the 1980s the people of Azerbaijan took to the streets and squares of Baku and other cities and villages of the republic to protest against the unlawful territorial claims of neighboring Armenia. They also demanded an immediate halt to the killings, persecution and mass expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from their homes in Armenia. They further called for a reversal of the unjust policy pursued by the leadership of the Soviet Union towards Azerbaijan. In response, the central Soviet authorities resorted to force to suppress the free expression of popular will. On the night of 19 January 1990, following a series of externally organized and instigated provocations aimed at destabilizing the situation and giving appearance of radicalization of the legitimate demands and aspirations of the people of Azerbaijan, 26,000 Soviet troops attacked Baku and other cities and towns in Azerbaijan. As a result of a large-scale military operation, 150 civilians were killed, 744 people were severely wounded and 4 people went missing. Numerous eyewitness reports documented the invaders executing the wounded, firing indiscriminately at bystanders, apartment buildings, stores, medical and other facilities. Tanks and armored vehicles crushed or opened fire upon moving and parked vehicles killing several people, including guests of a wedding procession. Clearly marked ambulances also became targets, while being prevented from aiding the wounded. Victims were found shot in their apartments, building entryways and on public transportation buses. During the examination of bullet wounds, experts noted the excessive damaging effects of the bullets, suggesting the use of banned munitions against civilians. On 21 January 1990, immediately after the tragic events, the National Leader Heydar Aliyev held a press-conference at the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan in Moscow breaking the information blockade, conveying the truth about the atrocities to the world and exposing this heinous crime against the people of Azerbaijan. Soviet leadership hoped to frighten the people of Azerbaijan, break their will and maintain the communist rule in the republic by military force. However, they achieved a completely opposite result. On 22 January 1990, 2 million people attended the funeral ceremony in Baku. On 18 October 1991, Azerbaijan restored its independence and soon after was admitted to the United Nations. Following the return of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev to power in Azerbaijan, the brutal killings of innocent people on 20 January 1990 was qualified as a military aggression and a crime at a special session of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) held in February 1994. In March 1994, a decision “On the tragic events committed in Baku on 20 January 1990” was adopted by the Parliament. On January 20, Azerbaijan honors with deepest respect and gratitude the memory of the Martyrs who gave their lives for the nation’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. |
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