The night of January the 20th, which has gone down in the history of Azerbaijan as a glorious and tragic day, will never be forgotten. This date is the chronicle of Azerbaijan’s bellicosity and heroism, embodiment of the unity and patriotism of Azerbaijanis. The 20 January tragedy demonstrated belligerence, determination, honour, will of the Azerbaijani people. Resulted in the massacre of innocent people, this night once more showed the identity and irresistibility of a real Azerbaijani. 

The incident was an unforgivable crime committed against Azerbaijan by the Soviet empire led by unskilled Gorbachev, who pursued an anti-Azerbaijan policy. Unfortunately, this well-organized crime remains unpunished still. Today, the world is less informed of the 20 January stories. The aggression of the Soviet troops left 184 civilians, belonging to 5 nations, dead, including more than 20 women and children, over 600 wounded, more than 800 arrested. More 21 persons were killed after the state of emergency was declared on January 20, also 26 killed in the districts of Neftchala and Lankaran, not covered by the state of emergency.     
 
“Black January” features a lot of secrets unrevealed. 69 chapters of the 100-chapter investigation material were taken from Baku to the former USSR prosecutor’s office in Moscow and never returned. This aggression the people of Azerbaijan underwent has not been recognized as a crime against the mankind on the international level. This tragedy violated the requirements of international documents on human rights, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The world community is still indifferent to the disaster resulted in the merciless massacre of hundreds of people. The incident must receive an international legal and political assessment, the culprits must be punished.

Every Azerbaijani should always remember the history of our honor. These lands we were born and raised in were washed with blood of our martyrs who sacrificed themselves for the motherland. Just on the night of January the 20th our martyrs wrote a glorious history with their blood. This historical day opened the way to the independence of Azerbaijan. They say the nation without any martyr is deprived of love for homeland. The nation without any martyr has no national identity. The nation, which has gained freedom easily, would get used to living like a slave, stay away from fight. Thanks to our martyrs, who selflessly fought for the motherland, we are independent today. We, millions of Azerbaijanis are indebted to their souls for the free and happy life we live in our homeland. As they say, “martyrs are immortal, motherland is indivisible”.

Azerbaijan Realities