36th Anniversary of 20 January – National Mourning Day Commemorated at American University
A commemorative event dedicated to the 36th anniversary of 20 January – National Mourning Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held at the Washington College of Law of American University in Washington, D.C., USA.
Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States, the event was attended by embassy staff, representatives of U.S. government institutions, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the Azerbaijani community, Azerbaijani and international students studying in the country, as well as representatives of the media.
In her opening remarks, Assistant Director of the Washington College of Law of American University and PhD candidate in law, Shalala Valiyeva, emphasized that the bloody events committed by the Soviet army against peaceful civilians in Baku on 20 January, 1990, left an indelible mark on the memory of the Azerbaijani people. She noted that the 20 January tragedy was a decisive turning point in Azerbaijan’s struggle for freedom and independence.
Speaking at the event, Padideh Ala’i, Director of International and Comparative Legal Studies at the Washington College of Law and Professor of Law, stressed the importance of preserving the memory of such tragedies and conveying them accurately to the international community. She noted that, unfortunately, such events still occur today and that humanity must comprehend their true nature.
In his remarks, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States, Khazar Ibrahim, underlined that the 20 January tragedy failed to break the Azerbaijani people’s will for independence; on the contrary, it further strengthened national unity and the determination for freedom. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of presenting historical truths to the international community to prevent such tragedies from recurring. He also stated that the martyrs of 20 January sacrificed their lives for the future of the nation and that their memory is always honored with deep respect in Azerbaijan.
Glen Howard, President of the Saratoga Foundation, described 20 January events as one of the first significant steps toward the restoration of Azerbaijani statehood and national identity. According to him, this tragedy also inspired other nations within the former Soviet Union that aspired to freedom. Touching upon Azerbaijan’s development path in recent years, Glen Howard emphasized that the liberation of Karabakh region from occupation has further highlighted the Azerbaijani people’s national liberation struggle.
The event continued with a question-and-answer session and a networking reception, during which participants exchanged views and ideas.
