Since 1998, March 31 has been marked as the day of genocide of azerbaijanis at the state level in the Republic of Azerbaijan. This genocide is a manifestation of the national memory of the tragic events in the history of the Azerbaijani people and statehood. The massacre, repression, deportation and expulsion of Azerbaijanis from their native lands are among the most tragic and terrible pages in the history of the 20th century.  

On March 31, an online scientific-practical conference  was held at  Sumgayit State University   about  "March 31, 1918 - the day of the genocide of azerbaijanis."

First, the unforgettable memory of the victims of the genocide and the heroic sons of the motherland who gave their lives for our lands was commemorated with a minute of silence.

Opening the conference rector professor Elkhan Huseynov drew attention to the facts and historical documents about the atrocities committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis. Rector informed about the massacres on March 31 and April 1-2, the brutal killing of civilians by armed Armenian soldiers,  hundreds of thousands of our compatriots in Azerbaijan during the massacres, the destruction of historic buildings, mosques and schools. The March genocide is one of the bloodiest tragedies not only in the history of Azerbaijan, but also in the history of mankind. Taking advantage of the opportunity  armenian executioners massacred civilians, not to mention children, the elderly and women. Along with tens of thousands of Azerbaijanis, thousands of Lezgi, Jewish, Russian, Avar and Talysh people were put to the sword, bayoneted and burned alive. The genocide of Azerbaijanis was carried out with special cruelty not only in Baku, but also in Shamakhi, Guba city, villages of Guba district, Karabakh, Zangazur, Nakhchivan, Lankaran, Ganja and other regions. Great Leader Heydar Aliyev evaluated a real legal assessment to this bloody tragedy. The national leader Heydar Aliyev who signed the Decree "On the March 1918 genocide" on March 26, 1998. The decree set specific tasks such as holding sessions of the Milli Majlis in connection with these events, conducting research in this area, celebrating March 31 each year as a day of national mourning, and conveying this tragedy to the world community. Thus, a new strategy for the Armenian issue was defined in the history of Azerbaijan. Since that year, all our people have been celebrating this date as "March 31, the Day of the Genocide of Azerbaijanis." The rector also noted that great work had been done to inform the world community about the historical truth about the genocides committed against Azerbaijanis after President Ilham Aliyev announced the line of offensive diplomacy. The activity of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation under the leadership of first vice president Mehriban Aliyeva is of exceptional importance in this direction. Under the leadership of  president Ilham Aliyev  our country is working regularly and productively with major powers that have a significant impact on world politics and successfully manages to dispel stereotypes and misconceptions formed over decades.

 Despite double standards and pressure from pro-armenian forces the international community has to admit the truth  often in the face of obvious facts. Commemorations of the victims of the genocide are becoming more widespread around the world and cause serious repercussions.

The rector also noted that although 2020 was a difficult year in the world, Azerbaijan was remembered for its success in political, diplomatic, military and other fields. Historical justice has been restored, and Azerbaijan has shown the world the power of political, economic and national unity. With the determination of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the bravery of our army and the unity of our people  in the 44-day war Armenia was defeated by Azerbaijan. As a result of this great victory, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which lasted for almost 30 years ended. Our ancient cities and  lands were liberated. All necessary steps are being taken to restore all liberated areas and ensure the normal life of our citizens .Our  leader, couragous people and brave army have already responded  that Armenians deserve in both the military and political arenas. 

We believe that as a result of the successful internal  and foreign policy pursued by Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the states that  approach  against our state  with double standards many years  later those states will also accept these tragedies as an act of genocide.

Then, March 31 - a video dedicated to the genocide of Azerbaijanis was shown.

Dean of the faculty of history and geography  professor Adil Bakhshaliyev "March 31, 1918 - the day of the genocide of Azerbaijanis", head of the folklore research laboratory at the department of Azerbaijani and foreign literature, professor Astan Bayramov "deportation of Azerbaijanis from Western Azerbaijan", Azerbaijan and East Aysel Shamilova, teacher of the department of history of European peoples “Massacres committed by Armenians in the regions of Azerbaijan in 1918”, Nofal Abdullayev, senior lecturer of the department of history and its teaching methods “history of the decree of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev” Nurana Rzayeva, a second-year master's student at the faculty of history and geography "The end of genocides - our 44-day history of victory"  spoke about the causes of the March 31-Azerbaijani genocide.

They noted that thousands of our innocent compatriots were killed in many regions as a result of the policy of mass ethnic cleansing and deportation carried out by Bolshevik-Armenian armed groups in Azerbaijan. They stressed that every Azerbaijani has a duty to fulfill his duty to highlight  these events to the attention of the world community.