[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 14 (Thursday, January 25, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E72]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         COMMEMORATION OF THE 34TH ANNIVERSARY OF BLACK JANUARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 25, 2024

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 34th anniversary of 
the ``Black January'' killings in Azerbaijan.
  January 20, 2024, marks the 34th anniversary of the military invasion 
and vicious massacre of civilians in the city of Baku, Azerbaijan by 
the forces of the Soviet Army on January 20, 1990. On the night of 
January 20, 1990, approximately 26,000 Soviet troops stormed 
Azerbaijan's capital city in tanks and armored vehicles. The Soviet 
military bulldozed and open fired on innocent Azerbaijanis and peaceful 
protestors, including women and children. The attack resulted in 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 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. As the co-chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I 
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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