Edited by Anna Popper
On the 20th January 2025, Azerbaijan commemorated the 35th anniversary of the 20 January 1990 tragedy, widely known as Black January. The entry of Soviet troops into Baku to suppress mass protests resulted in an unprecedented tragedy for Azerbaijan. Brave sons and daughters of the nation prioritized their country’s freedom, honour and dignity above all else, sacrificing their lives and forever being remembered as martyrs. The events of those days are engraved in Azerbaijan’s history as a pivotal moment and have become a symbol of the nation’s struggle for independence, territorial integrity, freedom and invincible will, as emphasized by President Ilham Aliyev.
January 20 is immortalized in the collective memory of the Azerbaijani people as the Day of Nationwide Sorrow, represented by the red carnation that people place on memorials to honour the heroes and martyrs who lost their lives on that tragic day.
To mark the 35th anniversary of this sombre event, Azerbaijani authorities issued official statements on the 20th January 2025.
STATEMENT
by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan on National Mourning Day
“Anniversary of the bloody massacre committed 35 years ago on the night of 19-20 January 1990 by the former USSR against civilians in order to suppress the national liberation movement of the Azerbaijani people, is annually commemorated in our country as 20 January – National Mourning Day.
On 20 January – National Mourning Day, which is both a moment of profound sadness and pride in our contemporary history, we honour with the deepest gratitude all our Martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.
Discrimination policy of the former Soviet authorities against our country and people at a time when fabricated provocations such as the ‘Sumgayit events’ were orchestrated and implemented in order to justify the continuation of unfounded territorial claims of Armenia against Azerbaijan in 1980s, as well as the mass deportation of the Azerbaijanis from the territories of present-day Armenia, led to the rise of the national liberation movement of the Azerbaijani people.
In an attempt to put down the national movement which advocated for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, on the night of 19-20 January 1990, units and special forces of the Soviet Army, as well as contingents of internal troops brutally massacred civilians in Baku, Sumgayit, Lankaran and Neftchala.
As a result of the 20 January military aggression which was one of the most heinous crimes against humanity of the last century committed against innocent people, including children, women and the elderly in violation of all norms of international law, 150 civilians were killed, 744 were seriously wounded, 4 went missing.
Notwithstanding the complexity of the particular period and the precautions taken by the former Soviet authorities to prevent the spread of the 20 January realities, immediately after the tragedy, bringing the brutal massacre to the attention of the international community is associated with the name of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev.
Following the restoration of our independence and the return of the National Leader to power in our country, a number of crimes committed against our people, including the 20 January tragedy, were given a political and legal assessment, and in March 1994 a decision ‘On the tragic events committed in Baku on 20 January 1990’ was adopted by the Milli Majlis (Parliament).
Notwithstanding the fact that the 20 January tragedy was orchestrated and implemented in order to crush the resistance of the Azerbaijani people, this brutal massacre marked a turning point in the history of the independence, solidarity and national liberation movement of our people, as well as the beginning of the inevitable collapse of the USSR, which had long been delayed.
Unity and determination of our people, which overcame the most challenging days and the most complex struggles of history, became the basis of the brilliant victory of the Glorious Azerbaijan Army led by the Victorious Commander-in-chief during the 44-day Patriotic War, which resulted in ensuring our territorial integrity, as well as an end to the occupation and conflict as a result of counter-terror measures, which led to the complete restoration of our sovereignty on 19-20 September 2023.
On the 35th anniversary of the 20 January tragedy, which profoundly shaped the history of our independence, we solemnly commemorate our Martyrs who sacrificed their lives for our country and territorial integrity and wish good health to our citizens who experienced health losses along that way!”
“Long Live Azerbaijan!”
STATEMENT
by the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the 35th anniversary of the 20 January 1990 Tragedy
“It has been 35 years since the 20 January tragedy – a bloody event that was mercilessly committed against an unarmed population by the former USSR armed forces on the night of 19 to 20 January 1990, in order to suppress the spirit of national freedom and the desire for independence of the people of Azerbaijan.
In order to break the will of our people protesting against the biased attitude of the former USSR leadership towards our country, the deportation of Azerbaijanis from our historical lands, which is now the territory of present-day Armenia, and unfounded territorial claims of Armenia against Azerbaijan, as a result of this heinous crime against humanity, 150 innocent people, including women, children, and the elderly, in Baku and several other districts and cities of our republic were murdered, 744 people were injured, and 841 individuals were unlawfully detained.
That day is not only a heroic chronicle of our people who took to the squares for the sake of freedom but also a historical day when unarmed people, with a desire for freedom, courageously and honourably fought for liberty. Despite the brutal terror act committed against innocent people, the Azerbaijani people succeeded in gaining their independence.
The National Leader of our people, Heydar Aliyev, with his family members, arrived at Azerbaijan’s Permanent Mission in Moscow on 21 January despite the pressures and potential threats to his life. He held a press conference, issued a strong statement, and informed the international community that this grave crime had been committed by the leadership of the USSR. It was only after the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev returned to the country’s leadership that, in 1994, political and legal assessments were made regarding the 20 January events.
The failure of international organizations and the world community to condemn the commission of this event at that time later paved the way for the occupation of our lands by Armenians and the perpetration of acts of genocide against our people. As a result of the crime against humanity perpetuated under the instruction of the former USSR leadership, the provisions of the UN Charter, the universally recognized norms and principles of international law, as well as the requirements of the international treaties, to which the former Soviet Union was a party, have been seriously infringed and human rights have been grossly violated.
However, with regret, we would like to inform that despite of numerous appeals to international organizations and the global community, this crime against humanity has yet to be given legal evaluation, and those who committed this heinous crime have not been held accountable.
As the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I urge international organizations and the world community to interpret incidents that occurred on 20 January 1990 as a crime against humanity, one of the gravest forms of international crimes and to take just stance to ensure that military personnel who committed these crimes, along with those who ordered the execution of these acts are also held criminally accountable.”
Ms. Sabina Aliyeva
Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan
20 January – National Day of Mourning Commemorated in Budapest
On 20 January 2025, a solemn event dedicated to the National Day of Mourning was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Hungary.
The commemoration was attended by the staff of the Embassy, directors of the Azerbaijani House in Budapest, of the Azerbaijani – Hungarian Friendship Society, and members of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Hungary.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Tahir Taghizade, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Hungary emphasized the significance of the 20 January in Azerbaijan’s victorious history.
Following his speech, the Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the National Day of Mourning was presented to the participants.
The ceremony concluded with the laying of red carnations in front of a memorial corner created to honour the victims of the 20 January tragedy. The martyrs were then remembered with a minute of silence.
Source: Embassy of Azerbaijan in Budapest
Photos by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Budapest
EU Ambassadors to Azerbaijan Paid Tribute to Black January Victims in Baku in 2025
On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the 20 January 1990 tragedy, EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan, H.E. Peter Michalko, along with Ambassadors from EU Member States, honoured the memory of the victims by laying flowers at the Alley of Martyrs in Baku. The solemn commemoration was dedicated to those who lost their lives during the violent crackdown by Soviet troops against pro-independence protesters in Azerbaijan.
“I express my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives during this tragedy 35 years ago. The EU remains committed to fostering peace, stability, and prosperity in Azerbaijan, the South Caucasus, and the world,” stated Ambassador Peter Michalko.
Photos from https://euneighbourseast.eu
