Ombudsman Office held commemorative events in honor of the 31st anniversary of the Tragedy of January 20

Today, 31 years have passed over the Tragedy of 20 January committed on the night from 19 to 20 January of 1990 in Baku. This date is accepted not only as the bloodiest pages in the history of Azerbaijan but also as the most honorable day on the path to the independence of our people united for their freedom.

On the National Mourning Day in honor of the 31^st anniversary of January 20, 1990 tragedy victims, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva visited the Alley of the Martyrs and laid flowers on the graves of all martyrs. The Ombudsman also visited and laid wreth at the  Memorial monument paying tribute to all martyrs.

In addition, the Ombudsman held a videoconference dedicated to the 31^st anniversary of the Tragedy of January 20 with participation of the staff. The discussions in the meeting focused mainly on the history of the tragedy, the importance of legal assessment to this criminal act and enlightening the international community.

During her speech, the Ombudsman said that the organizers and perpetrators of the horrible acts have not been held criminally liable. It was also noted that at that period, the bloody events have been hidden from the people, collecting the evidences have been artificially hindered, but all these could not shatter the determination of people of Azerbaijan.  

In the meeting it was said that the Ombudsman issued a statement and video message concerning the 31^st anniversary of the Tragedy of 20 January, which were addressed to national and international audience.

Several staff members, including heads of regional centers of the Ombudsman also shared their views and memories around those bloody events. In the meeting, it was especially underlined that in many years, for the first time, commemorative events are being held as a state that restored justice and liberated its occupied territories.     

At the end of the online meeting, the Ombudsman highlighted the importance of continuation of implementation of enlightening the international community about the realities concerning this tragedy.