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COMMEMORATING THE 32ND ANNIVERSARY OF BLACK JANUARY IN AZERBAIJAN
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HON. STEVE COHEN
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the anniversary of the ``Black January'' killings, one of the most tragic events in Azerbaijan's history.
Thirty-two years ago, on the night of January 20, 1990, approximately 26,000 Soviet troops stormed Azerbaijan's capital city of Baku in tanks and armored vehicles. The Soviet military bulldozed and opened fired on innocent Azerbaijanis and peaceful protestors, including women and children. The resulting casualties of these brutal acts were 147 people killed, around 800 injured, 841 arrested, and 5 missing. I offer my thoughts and prayers to the families of those who gave their lives for the independence of Azerbaijan.
Despite these merciless acts, the Azerbaijani people were not deterred. They continued to fight for their freedom and became independent in 1991. The United States was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan's independence and fully established diplomatic relations on February 28, 1992. The relationship between our two countries endures to this day. The United States and Azerbaijan are strategic allies and share common interests in the region and globally.
As the co-chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I urge my colleagues to recognize the sacrifices of the Azerbaijani people in their steps toward a free-market economy and encourage a recommitment to the democratic values for which many Azerbaijanis sacrificed their lives.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 16
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