A number of events held at State Migration Service related with 23rd anniversary of 20 January

On January 19, 2013 a number of events on 23rd anniversary of 20 January incidents were held at State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At first employees of State Migration Service got acquainted with exhibition dedicated to blessed memory of 20 January victims.

Then the event was continued in the assembly hall of the Service. In the commemoration ceremony which began with observing one minute’s silence in remembrance of martyrs, it was mentioned that January 20, 2013 entered history of our nation as “Bloody January” tragedy and remained in our memories as the most tragic events in our history.

It was emphasized that the central government of former USSR seeking a pretext to suppress national liberation movement of our people could not reconcile with the fact of losing control over events in Azerbaijan. In order to suppress national movement various military units, punishment detachments were dislocated in our country at the beginning of January 1990 and on the night from 19 to 20 January our lands were covered with martyrs’ blood. That day becoming sad, at the same time heroism day of our history, became turning point for our national liberation movement. Occupation of Baku by large contingent of soviet army, special mission units and Ministry of Interior was accompanied with special cruelty and unprecedented violence. This scenario was repeated in other regions of our country as well. As a result of illegal invasion of the territory of our country by these troops 131 persons were killed, 744 persons were wounded, 841 persons were arrested illegally.

Later it was mentioned that as a protest to this terrible tragedy, on January 21, 1990 Nation-wide Leader Heydar Aliyev was the first patriot politician who coming to Azerbaijan’s permanent representation in Moscow gave operative and true assessment to this incident in press conference. Heydar Aliyev in his speech exposed the communist regime, stated that sovereign rights of the people were transgressed, expressed his protest against perpetrated violence and policy of soviet leaders. With his courage and invincibility Great Leader demonstrated his loyalty to Azerbaijan. Only after Nation-wide Leader Heydar Aliyev’s return to power tragic incidents perpetrated in Baku on January 20, 1990 were discussed and political-legal assessment was given to these incidents in the session of Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated on March 29, 1994.

Speakers stated that today wide-range institution-building policy carried out with the guidance of worthy follower of Nation-wide Leader, President Ilham Aliyev has made eternal, irreversible and unbreakable the freedom and independence of our country for the sake of which martyrs’ blood was shed. Our state becomes stronger day by day and turns into military, political and economic power center in South Caucasus. Global projects in the region can be realized only with participation and support of Azerbaijan. As our respected president always proudly mentions Azerbaijan becomes powerful and is been respected.

It was underlined that the State Migration Service will further demonstrate its loyalty to patriotism ideas of our martyrs by contributing to national security of our country.

Documentary film “Bloody Baku” dedicated to incidents of January 20, 1990 was demonstrated at the end of the ceremony.