The Commissioner organizes commemoration events of the 27th anniversary of 20 January National Mourning Day

Ganja Regional Office of the Commissioner of Azerbaijan organized commemoration event of the 20th January-National Mourning Day entitled “20 January Tragedy in the context of violation of human rights” in Gazakh and Ganja cities. Both events were attended by representatives of some state bodies, local community members and the young people, including university students.

At both meetings the participants have been informed about the crimes and bloody acts committed on that day against Azerbaijani people by the Soviet Armed Forces which was also consisted mobilized with military officers of Armenian origin, attacked from various sides the capital city Baku, Sumgayit and other areas of the country with tanks and other heavy armored vehicles without any notification. As a result of joint military actions of USSR Defence and Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Security Committee over 140 innocent and unarmed civilians, including women, children and the aged people were mercilessly killed, more than 600 people have been injured and almost all civilian objects in Baku only have been destroyed.

Soon after the international community was informed about those bloody acts but the first legal and political assessment to these events was given by Heydar Aliyev, National Leader of the country in 1994 during his second term presidency in Azerbaijan.

It was also underlined that this bloody event was clear evidence of another violation of international legal norms and principles, including Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Geneva Conventions about protection of civilians during the armed conflicts.

As well as during the meetings it was noted that the Commissioner of Azerbaijan annually addresses her relevant Statements to different international organizations, national human rights institutions etc.