The tragedy of January 20 is a page of honor and heroism in the book of our history
19.01.2023 /"Our people will never forget this day. Because it was not an attack on individuals, it was an aggression against the Azerbaijani people, the Azerbaijani nation, the Azerbaijani country. Those killed as a result of this aggression are the people's heroes, they are the heroes of our nation."
National Leader Heydar Aliyev
33 years have passed since the events of 20 January 1990, which went down in history of the 20th century as one of the most brutal and terrible crimes against humanity. On that historic day, the Azerbaijani people demonstrated to the whole world that they would not give up their yearning for national freedom and independence dwelling in their hearts, that they were ready to sacrifice even their own lives for this cause.
On January 19, 1990 Mikhail Gorbachev signed a decree declaring the state of emergency in Baku, in flagrant violation of Article 71 of the Constitution of the USSR. However, the plan of reprisal against the civilian population in Baku was carried out in secret, the power unit of Azerbaijani television was blown up. This operation was carried out by the Alpha group of KGB on January 19. The population, unaware that the state of emergency was declared at night, was subjected to ruthless massacre, atrocities unprecedented in the history of mankind.
The punitive measures taken against the civilian population, demonstrating solidarity in their quest for independence, were a gross violation of the International Declaration of Human Rights and other conventions in this field. The crumbling Soviet regime added an unprecedented act of brutality to the series of crimes it had committed. On the night of January 19 to 20, 1990, armed units of the Soviet Army without any warning invaded Baku city and some other regions of Azerbaijan and ruthlessly massacred the Azerbaijani people.
The population was informed about the state of emergency in Baku on the republican radio at 7:00 a.m. on January 20. As a result of the committed military aggression in the capital the civilian population was subjected to reprisals, hundreds of people were killed, wounded and disappeared without a trace. Among the victims were minors, women, elderly and disabled people.
In Baku and other regions of Azerbaijan 146 persons were brutally killed, 744 persons were wounded, more than 800 persons were arrested. Meanwhile, the then leadership of Azerbaijan showed indecision and cowardice.
The harshest statement against the Soviet regime, which had committed genocide against Azerbaijan, was made by the national leader Heydar Aliyev. On the day following the tragedy, January 21, the great leader held a press conference at the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan in Moscow and gave the first political assessment of the tragedy. With this statement, Heydar Aliyev, in the presence of representatives of all mass media outlets of the world, condemned the genocide committed by the USSR leadership against the Azerbaijani people, describing it as an act incompatible with humanity and humanism. He strongly condemned M. Gorbachev and demanded the withdrawal of troops from Baku.
January 20 is remembered in the history of Azerbaijan not only with pain and bitterness, but also as a Day of Honor. These very events proved that the Azerbaijani people have the determination to fight for the restoration of violated rights, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Our nation commemorates martyrs on January 20, every year on the anniversary of the tragedy a lot of people visit the graves of those who fought for independence, leaving red carnations that became the symbol of the tragedy.
May Allah rest the souls of our martyrs!
Institute of Control Systems of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Public Relations Department