Azerbaijani Parliamentarian Ganira Pashayeva works out written declaration on January 20 tragedy

The declaration describes the events which occurred on January 20, 1990 in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku.

"Many nations fought for independence, but events, which took place
in the geographic space, which was called Socialist block, is
unprecedented in its scope and brutality of response", the document says.

According to the declaration, Black January occurred when Moscow ordered 26,000 Soviet troops to invade Azerbaijan's capital Baku. In the early morning hours and into the day of Jan. 20, 1990, Soviet troops attacked innocent civilians, slaughtering 133 people and wounding approximately 700.

It is also noted in the declaration that the use of force
by the Soviet regime was a response to Azerbaijan's popular demand for independence.

Ultimately, this invasion ignited a series of events which led to the independence of Azerbaijan and other republics a year and a half later.

The declaration says that according to a report published by Human Rights Watch, "among the most heinous violations of human rights were the numerous attacks on medical personnel, ambulances and even hospitals".

The said written declaration has been signed by 30 PACE deputies and spread among the PACE session participants.

/Today.Az/