Azerbaijan marks 36 years since the bloody January massacre, honouring fallen heroes who sparked independence

On January 20, 1990, Soviet troops stormed Baku, the Azerbaijani capital, on the orders of the Central government in an ultimately failed attempt to save the communist rule and crush the national movement by committing an unprecedented massacre against the civilians and violating the norms of international law.

The next day, over a million Azerbaijanis flooded Azadlig (Freedom) Square in silent mourning. The victims were laid to rest in Mountain Park, later renamed Martyrs’ Alley.

For several days, around 26,000 Soviet troops cracked down on protesters, firing into crowds, and killing 150 and injuring 744 civilians.

Before this tragic event, Armenia's unfounded territorial claims against Azerbaijan and the aggressive separatist activities of Armenian radicals in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, supported by the Soviet leadership, escalated tensions in the region. These actions resulted in the violent deportation of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from Armenia and fuelled the growth of the national movement against the Soviet government in Azerbaijan.

The events of January 20, a grave crime of the 20th century and a blatant violation of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, constituted a crime against humanity.

Across Azerbaijan and the Turkic world, the victims are remembered annually. Commemorations include solemn visits to Martyrs’ Alley in Baku, where those who perished defending their homeland are laid to rest. This year, hundreds of thousands gathered to pay tribute, their unity underscoring the enduring significance of the sacrifices made that night.

Images and stories of the January 20 Massacre continue to educate new generations through exhibitions, panels and symposiums, ensuring that the horrors of that night are never forgotten.

The massacre deepened mistrust in the Soviet regime, galvanizing Azerbaijan’s push for independence. Just months later, on August 30, 1991 Azerbaijan declared its independence, with final affirmation on October 18, 1991. The struggle, which intensified following the January 20 Massacre, culminated on October 18, 1991, when the Azerbaijani Parliament signed the Declaration of Independence, officially separating from the USSR. This marked Azerbaijan’s second independence in the same century.

The events of the bloody January massacre are a stark reminder of the cost of freedom. Despite centuries of external aggression, Azerbaijan has emerged as a resilient and independent nation. President Ilham Aliyev, addressing the nation on this solemn occasion, emphasized the unyielding spirit of the Azerbaijani people: “The sacrifices of our martyrs will forever be honoured. Their legacy is the foundation of our sovereignty.”

As Azerbaijan commemorates this tragic chapter, it also celebrates the resilience and unity that transformed the darkest night into the dawn of independence. The memory of January 20, 1990, remains a beacon of hope and a testament to the enduring pursuit of freedom.

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