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Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Commemorates 20 January National Mourning Day

Baku: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan has issued a statement commemorating January 20 as National Mourning Day, APA reports citing the ministry's press service. The statement marks the 35th anniversary of the massacre committed by the former USSR against Azerbaijani civilians on the night of January 19-20, 1990. This day is annually observed in Azerbaijan to honor the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the statement highlights the discriminatory policies of the former Soviet authorities against Azerbaijan, which included orchestrating provocations like the 'Sumgayit events' and the mass deportation of Azerbaijanis from present-day Armenia. These actions fueled the national liberation movement in Azerbaijan. On January 19-20, 1990, Soviet forces brutally attacked civilians in Baku, Sumgayit, Lankaran, and Neftchala, resulting in 150 deaths, 744 injuries, and four missing persons. This military aggression is considered one of the most severe crimes against humanity in the last century.

The statement also credits National Leader Heydar Aliyev for bringing international attention to the massacre, despite efforts by Soviet authorities to suppress the truth. Following Azerbaijan's independence, the events of January 20 were officially recognized and assessed politically and legally by the Milli Majlis in March 1994.

Moreover, the statement recognizes the 20 January tragedy as a turning point in Azerbaijan's history, marking the beginning of the Soviet Union's collapse. It also emphasizes the unity and determination of the Azerbaijani people, which led to the victory in the 44-day Patriotic War, resulting in the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity on September 19-20, 2023.

As the country commemorates the 35th anniversary of the tragedy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its deepest gratitude to the martyrs and wishes good health to those who suffered during the events.