REMEMBERING THE MARTYRS OF JANUARY 20TH IN AZERBAIJAN

Its now 19 years since the sons and daughters of Azerbaijan gave their life for freedom. These martyrs were victims of the then Kremlin aggression. A defeat on human freedom was a typical characteristic of the communism ideology. Therefore on every hint on the people’s inclination to emancipation, Kremlin had acted with severe military actions.

On that faithful, the 20th of January 1990, the Azerbaijan population woke up to witness a great number of the Russia army in their capital Baku. The direct order wasn’t exact but the consequences of the day was so clear –there were hundreds of innocent civilians -men, women and children killed particularly in the center of the capital city. There were fathers went to work and never returned; children went to school, bidding their parents good bye without realizing that that was the last good bye they will ever wish them. Women went to market and never returned; wives and husbands were separated by death prematurely. 

Today as America celebrates the inauguration of Barack Husein Obama, the first black president in the history of the USA; it shows the extent human freedom has come.  That “all man is created equal and that no man, race, or tribe is more superior to another” is a God’s free gift to mankind and must be enjoyed by all. 

Irrespective of where it happened, an injustice anywhere is injustice to mankind. This is why the whole world ought to join Azerbaijan and remember these freedom fighters. They gave their life not just for Azerbaijan but that the whole world will live in freedom. Like every other freedom fighters through out history, these Azerbaijan martyrs died for the simple believe that the good legacies they fight for will one day be reaped by the generations to come after them.

So, remembering the martyrs of January 20th creates an opportunity for good reflection by the Azerbaijan government, the Azerbaijani population and the entire world. The food for thought here comes in the form of a self intended question which is “am I living my life so as to preserve the good fight people before me had fought so I can live in freedom and still live a better place for the generations to come?” 

AZERBAIJAN THE ANTIDOTE TO RUSSIA ENERGY THREATS

It is no news that Russia has decided to block the supply of gas to Ukraine over the reason that Ukraine owes her -Russia so much debt.

This is not the first time Russia is using this means on Ukraine. In 2006, the same scenario played out and with the intervention of the world community especially Europe, the dispute was resolved. However this time around, the EU nations are also a victim.

Russia is accusing Ukraine of siphoning the fuel made for the EU nations that was route through Ukraine. Because of this Russia said it is blocking the flow of gas. The consequence is that much of Europe including Ukraine is without gas despite Europe having to face one of the harshest winter for about two decades.

This new development once again leaves Europe at the mercy of Russia. It only emphasis the threat Russia still remains to the collective goal of the EU.

Although, what the situation creates is that it allows EU to consider its policies with Russia.

As an advice to the EU community: Azerbaijan, Russia’s near neighbor has a vast gas deposit in the Caspian Sea. If the EU can channel its focus on how to better inculcate Azerbaijan into its policies, establish a stronger relationship with the Azerbaijan nation and pursue a wide national development, there is way Russia will not feel threatened and as a result the Russia threat can well be nullified.

ENCOUNTER WITH THE AZERBAIJAN IDPs RESIDING IN NEW KHOJALY

Together with 22 other youths, I traveled to the hinterlands of Azerbaijan. The purpose was based on a project “New Aprroach to the Refugees Problems” initiated by the Baku International Students Club (BISC). The project activity was financed by the Azerbaijan NGO support fund from the presidential office and BISC was assisted technically by International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF).

The trip took us to Fizuli, Agdam, Tartar, and Goranbouy regions of Azerbaijan. The purpose was to learn the experiences of the Internal Displaced Persons of Azerbaijan who live their lives as Refugees in own country and as a result publish a book based on written essays on learned experiences. These IDPs were victims of the Azerbaijan/ Armenia war of 1992 that brought about the occupation of the Azerbaijan territorial land by Armenia up until today.

On this trip I and my other friends who were from China, Turkey, Iraq, France, Germany, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt and the Azeri locals were told lots of eyewitness stories of the incident. A particular case was our encounter with the Displaced Persons from Khojaly and Azerbaijanis who were forcefully removed from Armenia. We meet these groups of IDPs in the Agcakend region of Azerbaijan also referred to as new khjoaly.

Personal I was astonished by the beauty of the place where they present reside –New Khojaly. The snow that covered the entire mountain made the environment seems heavenly, but the inhabitants were quick to tell me that this beauty was nothing to be compared to the homeland –the presently occupied Khojaly territory.

We were also at the Zovchiq I & II settlements in the Horandis District of Azerbaijan. These settlements are relatively new, constructed by the Azerbaijan government and awarded to the refugees who all the while since after the war had been living in deplorably tents and camps.

Of course from what I saw, I can personal say that the Azerbaijan government is indeed doing a good job to better the living conditions of the refugees. Although much more remains to be done though to ensure that the refugees are well integrated into the main Azerbaijan society.

Despite this good effort of the government and the up to modern standard living homes provided, these IDPs still feel that they are not yet at home. It entail that more orientation has to be carried out, more government provisions in the spheres of creating employment opportunities and then finally a peaceful solution has to be reached on the re-acquisition of the Azerbaijan territories.

Pictures showing various events on the trip