Parliament of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic

Parliament of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was established on December 7, 1918 and was the parliament of the first parliamentary republic in the Muslim East.

Opening of the Parliament of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic

History and establishment

On May 28, 1918, in the Transcaucasian Seym, the Muslim faction declared itself as the National Council of Azerbaijan. Thus, in fact, the first Parliament of Azerbaijan was established, and the foundation of the first parliamentary republic was laid. As stated in the Declaration of Independence, "Until the convening of the Constituent Assembly, Azerbaijan is headed by the National Council elected by the people and the Provisional Government, which is responsible to the National Council." On September 17, 1918, three months after the formation of Fatali khan Khoyski's cabinet, the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic moved to Baku. Baku was declared the capital. On November 9, the state flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was replaced by a tricolour flag with the image of a crescent and an octagonal star. Socio-political, economic and cultural life in the various sectors of the construction work expanded. Adhering to the legal norms and rules of the parliamentary republic, the government of Fatali khan Khoyski also began preparations for the convening of the Constituent Assembly. To this end, a special commission was created. National Council in 1918, June 17 since the decree of 6 months thereafter, or rather, the government's sole authority to maintain authority in the case, Fatali Khan Khoyski initiative and at the request, 1918, November 16, the National Council of the operational again started. At the suggestion of the Chairman of the Government Fatali khan Khoyski, the National Council of Azerbaijan undertook to convene the Constituent Assembly. [1]

The first session of the Parliament of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic

At the meeting of the National Council of Azerbaijan chaired by Mammad Amin Rasulzade on November 19, 1918, critical decisions in the history of the Azerbaijani Parliament were made. At that time, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, despite operating in challenging and complicated conditions, took the path of extremely democratic development. At that meeting on 19 November, it was stated that all nationalities living within the state should be represented in parliament.

According to the Caucasus calendar, these areas have a population of 2,750,000. Of these, 1,900,000 were Muslims, 500,000 were Armenians, and 230,000 were Russians. Muslims - 80, Armenians - 21, Russians - 10 representatives should be sent at the rate of one representative for every 24,000 people. It is decided to form the Azerbaijani Parliament consisting of 120 members. According to the law, out of 21 Armenian representatives to be elected to the Parliament, 8 were to be elected from Ganja, 8 from Shusha and 5 from Baku Armenian committees. 10 representatives of the Russian population in Baku were to be sent to the Russian National Council, -1 to the German National Organization, -1 to the Jewish National Council, 1 to the Georgian Committee and -1 to the Polish Committee. In addition, the law provided for the sending of 3 representatives to the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan by the Baku Trade Union Council and 2 representatives by the Baku Industry and Trade. Members of parliament had parliamentary immunity.

According to the decision of the meeting of the National Council of Azerbaijan dated November 19, 1918, 44 Turkish-Muslim representatives elected to the All-Russian Constituent Assembly in late 1917 were directly included in the new parliament. The remaining 36 Muslim deputies and representatives of other nationalities had to be re-elected. The formation of the new Parliament was to be completed on December 3, 1918.

Parliament in 1918
  Musavat: 40 seats
  Ittihad: 14 seats
  Ahrar: 8 seats
  Socialist: 14 seats
  Unaffiliated: 4 seats
  Independent: 4 seats
  Left independent: 1 seat
  Slavic alliance: 5 seats
  Ethnic Minorities: 7 seats
  Armenian fraction: 5 seats
  Dashnaksutyun: 7 seats

Apparently, despite the fact that half a year has passed since the March 1918 genocide, 21 Armenian representatives were allowed to participate in the Azerbaijani parliament. This step taken in the historical conditions of that time is a bright proof of the deep respect of the Azerbaijani people for the democratic nature and human rights. On behalf of the National Council of Azerbaijan in connection with the convening of the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan, its chairman, M.A. On November 29, 1918, signed by Rasulzade "To the whole population of Azerbaijan" In Azerbaijani and Russian languages. The application is published. The appeal stated: {{Quote|“Citizens! War and revolution during the emergency condition, considering the strike, which has the Suraiya-team iqtizai time to reconnect with Baku, Azerbaijan collected. Suraiya-team first adopted the law only the Muslims belonging to Suraiya-Milli national picture from the state was to take a picture. According to the law adopted on the 19th of this month, the National Council will become a 120-member Majlis-Mabusan (Parliament) by December 3. Lawyers from the country's provinces were invited to the meeting, as well as representatives from minority nations. The prisoner who will be gathered in this way will be the owner of our country, will decide its destiny, organize its government and defend its interests until the Assembly of the Azerbaijani Parliament convenes in the future by a general election method... let us put aside enmity and discord that give us nothing but disaster and misery. History has forced us all to live together. Let's build our lives on a rational and humane basis, love and respect each other, so that we can easily bear the natural hardships of a new life. Despite national and religious differences, all Azerbaijani citizens are children of the same country. They must reach out and help each other to build a common life in a common homeland and achieve their happiness together.”

On December 7, 1918, at one o'clock in the afternoon, the grand opening of the Azerbaijani Parliament took place in the building of Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev's former girls'; school on Nikolayev Street (now the building of the Institute of Manuscripts named after Fuzuli). It was the first parliament in the entire Muslim East to be formed on the basis of the most democratic principles of the time. Chairman of the National Council of Azerbaijan Mohammad Amin Rasulzadeh delivered a congratulatory speech at the opening of the parliament.

At the suggestion of the Musavat faction, Alimardan bey Topchubashov was elected chairman of the parliament, and Dr. Hasan bey Agayev was elected his first deputy. As A. Topchubashov, who left for the Paris Peace Conference, was on a visit, H. Agayev headed the activities of the parliament. At the first session of the parliament, the resignation of the government of Fatali khan Khoyski was accepted and it was decided to form a new government. The formation of the new government was again entrusted to F. Khoisky.

On December 26, 1918, F. Khoisky addressed the parliament with his program and submitted the composition of the new government for approval. The parliament adopted the government's program and expressed confidence in the government formed by F. Khoyski.

One of the most important lessons of history at the time of the establishment of the Azerbaijani Parliament is that despite the fact that Republican figures and all our people allocated 21 seats to Armenians and 10 to Russians in the first Azerbaijani Parliament, they did not attend the opening. The Baku Russian National Council decides not to participate in the Parliament if it has no moral right to speak on behalf of the Russian population in Azerbaijan. They tried to prove that Azerbaijan had violated the idea of a "united and indivisible Russia" in declaring its independence. Allegedly, the participation of the Russian National Council in the Parliament and the Government would mean "recognition of the fact of separation of Azerbaijan from Russia", which facilitated the recognition of Azerbaijan in the international arena. The decision of the Russian National Council did not reflect the views of the Russian population, which supported the convening of the Azerbaijani parliament and the participation of its representatives there. Thus, the "Russian-Slavic Society" operating in Baku appealed to the chairman of the National Council of Azerbaijan MA Rasulzade to allow the representatives of this society to "enter the Parliament" in order to participate in "general state-building" in Azerbaijan.

At that time, Armenians, unable to reconcile with the independence of Azerbaijan, also defended the Russian National Council and did not participate in parliamentary sessions for some time. The tactic of Armenians not to participate in the Azerbaijani Parliament has been going on for more than two months. Finally, they also decide to participate in Parliament. They create two factions in the Azerbaijani Parliament - the Armenian and the Dashnaktsutyun. Their subsequent activities in the parliament showed that the main reason for the participation of Armenians in the Azerbaijani Parliament was not to serve the establishment of Azerbaijani statehood, development of the Azerbaijani economy and culture, but to gain a new platform to promote their chauvinist separatist ideas of "Greater Armenia".

In addition, the existence of 11 factions and groups in the Parliament, which concentrated the supreme power in the hands of the country and numbered less than 100 people, seriously hampered the building of an independent state in a very complex domestic and international environment. Individual factions and groups in many cases preferred the interests of their limited factions and groups to the national interest. For example, the Socialist Bloc of Parliament, under the guise of "protecting the interests of the poor", regularly promoted the annexation of Azerbaijan to Soviet Russia, succeeded in deciding to open a diplomatic mission in Soviet Russia, and finally advocated the intervention of the Red Army. It was nothing but a violation of the People's Republic.

From the first days of its establishment, the Azerbaijani Parliament has been building its work on the basis of organizational principles inherent in democratic republics. The law on the organization of the Parliament provides for 120 members of the Parliament, but for various reasons, the Parliament has never had this number of deputies.

However, the Parliament of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic has left a deep and rich mark on the history of Azerbaijani statehood, especially in the history of parliamentary culture, with its experience of building an independent state, high-level legislative acts and decisions adopted during its 17-month activity.

The first meeting of the Azerbaijani Parliament, the party factions and groups in its work teams are making statements about the programs. These statements drew attention to a common goal - to preserve the independence and territorial integrity, national and political rights of the young Republic of Azerbaijan, to establish and strengthen friendly relations of the Azerbaijani people and government with other nations and governments, especially neighbouring governments, to establish a democratic state, to carry out a wide range of social reforms, create a powerful army that can defend the country.

Adoption of laws

More than 270 bills were submitted to the parliament, about 230 of which were adopted. The laws were discussed in a lively and businesslike exchange of views and were adopted only after the third reading.

Members of parliament from 11 factions and groups participated in the preparation, discussion and approval of parliamentary laws.

There were 11 commissions in the parliament: Finance and Budget, Legislative Proposals, Central Commission for Elections to the Constituent Assembly, Mandate, Military, Agrarian Issues: Commissions on Inquiries, Command and Control on the Use of the Country's Productive Forces, Editorial and Labor Commissions.

The activities of the Parliament were governed by a charter specially prepared for this purpose - the "Instruction (instruction) of the Parliament of Azerbaijan."

Mammad Amin Rasulzade assessed the activity of the Parliament of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic as follows:

The National Assembly represented all classes and nations of the country and completely ruled the fate of the state. Without it, no orders would pass, no expenses would be incurred, no war would break out, no peace would be signed. The government stays when it gains the confidence of the parliament and falls when it loses it. There was no means to rule in the middle. It was the absolute power of the parliament.

— Mammad Amin Rasulzade

The end of the Parliament

On the night of April 26-27, 1920, the occupying 11th Red Army units crossed the borders of the independent Azerbaijani state without declaring war and attacked Baku. Baku was also besieged from the sea. Early in the morning of April 27, armed groups of communists seized important facilities both inside and outside the city. In fact, in the conditions of the overthrow of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, a delegation of communists acting on the dictates of the occupiers issued an ultimatum to hand over power to the Azerbaijani Parliament on behalf of the Central Committee of the Azerbaijani Communist (Bolshevik) Party, the Baku bureau of the Caucasus Committee of the Russian Communist (Bolsheviks). In this connection, after the resignation of Nasib bey Yusifbeyli on March 30, a special commission headed by Mammad Hasan Hajinski (MA Rasulzade, G. Garabeyov, A. Safikurdski, A. Gardashov, S.Ağamalıoglu) was created. Mammad Hasan Hajinski, who had close ties with the Azerbaijani Bolsheviks, held talks with the Communists. The ultimatum and the results of the commission's negotiations were discussed at the last (145th) session of the parliament chaired by Mammad Yusif Jafarov. The meeting started at 20.45 on April 27 and lasted until 23.25. During the discussions at the suggestion of MA Rasulzade, the doors of the Parliament were opened to the people. In his speech, M.A. Rasulzadeh said:

Gentlemen! Let's do not make our historic decision without the knowledge of the nation. Let's leave the door of the country's Parliament open so that everyone knows what a dangerous situation we are in and what decision we will make. Therefore, I propose not to close the doors of our parliament to the nation and not to make decisions without the knowledge of the nation.

— Mammad Amin Rasulzade

Informing about the ultimatum, M.H. Hajinski said that the power should be handed over to the communists tonight; The Central Committee of the AK (b) P states that otherwise, it will do its best to hand over power to the Red Army. The Communists also warn that if we do not hand over power to them tonight, the political parties represented in Parliament, including the Musavat party, will be banned; M.H.Hajinski also said that the Communists refused to consider our proposals and warned that if the government is not handed over voluntarily, all responsibility for the consequences lies with the members of Parliament. At the end of his speech, M.Hajinski called on the members of Parliament to make the only right decision in the current situation "for the salvation of the nation."

However, Samad agha Agamalioglu, Gara bey Garabeyov, Aslan bey Safikurdski, Mohammad Amin Rasulzade and Sultanmajid Ganizade opposed the proposal of MH Hajinski to unconditionally hand over power to the communists. However, in order to prevent bloodshed, they expressed their support for the transfer of power to the Communists only under certain conditions, first of all, on the condition of maintaining the independence of the Motherland. As a result, the Parliament decided by a majority vote to hand over power to the Communists on the following terms:

  1. The full independence of Azerbaijan, ruled by the Soviet government, is preserved;
  2. The government formed by the Communist Party of Azerbaijan will be a temporary body;
  3. The final form of government of Azerbaijan shall be determined by the supreme legislative body of Azerbaijan in the person of the Soviets of Workers', Peasants' and Soldiers' Deputies, independent of any external pressure;
  4. All government employees remain in office, but those in positions of responsibility are replaced;
  5. The newly formed Provisional Communist Government guarantees the inviolability of the life and property of members of Parliament and Government;
  6. Measures will be taken to prevent the Red Army from entering Baku by battle;
  7. The new government will take decisive measures at its disposal against all foreign forces seeking to undermine Azerbaijan's independence, no matter where it takes place.

The Parliament of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic remained faithful to its democratic traditions and ideas of independence at the same meeting held under siege. However, the occupiers ignored the decision of the Parliament of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic to hand over power to the communists peacefully, without bloodshed. Although Northern Azerbaijan was re-occupied by Russia as a result of the military intervention of Soviet Russia in violation of international law and the bloody military operations of the XI Red Army units, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic has left a deep mark on the history of our people's liberation movement. Despite living only 23 months, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic has proved that even the most brutal colonial and repressive regimes are not able to destroy the ideals of freedom and the traditions of independent statehood of the Azerbaijani people. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first parliamentary republic in the history of the Azerbaijani people, was also the first example of a democratic, legal and secular state in the whole East, including the Turkic-Islamic world. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic did not lag behind the traditional democratic republics of Europe in terms of its political structure, the measures are taken to build a democratic state, as well as the goals and objectives set for it.

Elections

Is the stenographic record of the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan reports that the elections will be hidden and Muslim Majlis-Məbusana the parliament members, in addition to the 44 people who are part of the National Council elected 36 new members. [2] The proportion of members to be involved was as follows:

  • Baku - 5
  • Goychay district, Baku province - 2 (one city, one district).
  • Javad district, Baku province - 2 (one city, one district).
  • Guba district, Baku province - 3 (one city, two districts)
  • Lankaran district, Baku province - 2 (one city, one district).
  • Shamakhi district, Baku province - 2
  • Ganja - 3 (one city, two accidents).
  • Arash district, Yelizavetpol province - 2 (one city, one district).
  • Javanshir district, Yelizavetpol province – 1
  • Zangazur district, Yelizavetpol province - 2
  • Gazakh district, Yelizavetpol province - 1
  • Jabrayil district, Yelizavetpol province - 1
  • Nukha district, Yelizavetpol province - 2 (one city, one district).
  • Shusha district, Yelizavetpol province - 2 (one city, one district).
  • Zagatala district - 2 (one city, one district).
  • The part of Iravan region passing to Azerbaijan - 3
  • The part of Tbilisi region passing to Azerbaijan – 1

From the Armenian minority population - 21 members: 8 from Ganja Armenian Population Committee, 8 from Shusha Armenian Population Committee, 5 from Baku Armenian Population Committee;

- from the Russian population from the Russian National Council in Baku - 10;

- Organizational-nationality of the German population - 1;

- Jewish National Council - 1;

- from the Georgian committee - 1;

- from the Polish Committee - 1;

- Baku Trade Union Council - 3;

- Jointly with Baku Soviet Congress and Trade and Industrial Societies - 2.

Governments of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic

I government cabinet: 28.05.1918 - 17.06.1918.

  1. The Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Interior - Fatali khan Khoyski (neutral).
  2. Military Minister - Khosrov Pasha bey Sultanov (Musavat).
  3. Minister of Foreign Affairs - Mammadhasan Hajinski (Musavat).
  4. Minister of Finance and Public Education - Nasib bey Yusifbeyli (Musavat).
  5. Minister of Justice - Khalil bey Khasmammadov (Musavat).
  6. Minister of Trade and Industry - Mammad Yusif Jafarov (neutral, then - Musavat).
  7. Minister of Agriculture and Labor - Akbar aga Sheikhulislamov (Hummat).
  8. Minister of Roads, Post and Telegraph - Khudadat bey Malik-Aslanov (neutral).
  9. State Inspector - Jamo bey Hajinski (socialist).


II Government Cabinet: 17.06.1918 - 07.12.1918.

  1. Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Justice - Fatali khan Khoyski (neutral).
  2. Minister of Foreign Affairs - Mammadhasan Hajinski (Musavat).
  3. Minister of Public Education and Religious Affairs - Nasib bey Yusifbeyli (Musavat).
  4. Minister of Internal Affairs - Behbud khan Javanshir (neutral).
  5. Minister of Agriculture - Khosrov Pasha bey Sultanov (Musavat).
  6. Minister of Health and Social Welfare - Khudadat bey Rafibeyli (neutral).
  7. Minister of Roads - Khudadat bey Malik-Aslanov (neutral).
  8. Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister of Food - Aga Ashurov (neutral).
  9. Minister of Finance - Abdulali bey Amirjanov (neutral).
  10. Minister without portfolio - Alimardan bey Topchubashov (neutral).
  11. Minister without portfolio - Musa bey Rafiyev (Musavat).
  12. Minister without portfolio - Khalil bey Khasmammadov (Musavat).


After the changes in the cabin dated 6.10.1918

  1. Chairman of the Council of Ministers - Fatali khan Khoyski (neutral).
  2. Minister of Trade, Industry and Internal Affairs - Behbud khan Javanshir (neutral).
  3. Minister of Foreign Affairs - Alimardan bey Topchubashov (neutral).
  4. Minister of Finance - Mammadhasan Hajinski (Musavat).
  5. Minister of Public Education - Nasib bey Yusifbeyli (Musavat).
  6. Minister of Roads - Khalil bey Khasmammadov (neutral).
  7. Minister of Agriculture - Khosrov Pasha bey Sultanov (Musavat).
  8. Minister of Public Health - Khudadat bey Rafibeyli (neutral).
  9. Minister of Post and Telegraph - Aga Ashurov (neutral).
  10. Minister of Social Security and Religious Affairs - Musa bey Rafiyev (Musavat).
  11. Commissioner for Military Affairs - Ismail khan Ziyadkhanov (neutral).
  12. State Inspector - Abdulali bey Amirjanov (neutral).


III Government Cabinet: 26.12.1918 - 14.03.1919.

  1. Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs - Fatali khan Khoyski (neutral).
  2. Minister of Internal Affairs - Khalil bey Khasmammadov (Musavat).
  3. Minister of Finance - I. Protasov (Slavic-Russian Society).
  4. Minister of Roads - Khudadat bey Malik-Aslanov (neutral).
  5. Minister of Justice - T. Makinski (?).
  6. Minister of Education and Religious Affairs - Nasib bey Yusifbeyli (Musavat).
  7. Minister of Post and Telegraph and Labor - Aslan bey Safikurdski (socialist).
  8. Military Minister- Samad bey Mehmandarov (neutral).
  9. Minister of Social Security - Rustam khan Khoyski (neutral).
  10. Minister of Public Health - Y. Gindes (Slavic-Russian Society).
  11. Minister of Trade and Industry - Mirza Asadullayev (neutral).
  12. State Inspector - Mammadhasan Hajinski (16.01.1919).
  13. Minister of Food - Konstantin Lizgar (Slavic-Russian Society).
  14. Minister of Agriculture - Khosrov bey Sultanov (Musavat).


IV Government Cabinet: 14. 03. 1919 - 22. 12. 1919.

  1. Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Internal Affairs - Nasib bey Yusifbeyli (neutral).
  2. Minister of Finance - Aliaga Hasanov (neutral).
  3. Minister of Trade and Industry - Aga Aminov (neutral).
  4. Minister of Foreign Affairs - Mammad Yusif Jafarov (Musavat).
  5. Minister of Roads - Khudadat bey Malik-Aslanov] (neutral).
  6. Minister of Post and Telegraph - Camo bey Hajinski (socialist).
  7. Military Minister- Samad bey Mehmandarov (neutral).
  8. Minister of Social Security - Victor Klenevsky (Slavic-Russian Society).
  9. Minister of Health - Abram Dastakov (Dashnaktsutyun).
  10. Minister of Education and Religious Affairs - Rashid khan Gaplanov (Ahrar).
  11. Minister of Agriculture - Aslan bey Gardashov (Ahrar).
  12. Minister without portfolio - Khoren Amaspur (Dashnaktsutyun).
  13. State Inspector - Nariman bey Narimanbeyli (Musavat).
  14. Minister of Justice and Labor - Aslan bey Safikurdski (socialist).
  15. Later the Minister of Internal Affairs - Khalil bey Khasmammadov (Musavat).


V Government cabinet: 24. 12. 1919 - 01. 04. 1920.

  1. Chairman of the Council of Ministers - Nasib bey Yusifbeyli (Musavat).
  2. Minister of Foreign Affairs - Fatali khan Khoyski (neutral).
  3. Military Minister - Samad bey Mehmandarov (neutral).
  4. Minister of Internal Affairs - Mammadhasan Hajinski 18.09.02. After 1920 Mustafa bey Vakilov (first Musavat, then communist, Mustafa bey Vakilov - Musavat).
  5. Minister of Justice - Khalil bey Khasmammadov (Musavat).
  6. Minister of Finance - Rashid khan Gaplanov (Ahrar).
  7. Minister of Education and Religious Affairs - Hamid bey Shahtakhtinski (after 05.03.1920 Nurmammad bey Shahsuvarov, both-Ittihad).
  8. Minister of Labor and Labor - Ahmad bey Pepinov (socialist).
  9. Minister of Roads, as well as Interim Minister for Trade, Industry and Food - Khudadat bey Malik-Aslanov (after 18.02.1920 - Minister of Trade, Industry and Food - Mammadhasan Hajinski).
  10. Minister of Post and Telegraph - Camo bey Hajinski (socialist).
  11. Minister of Social Security and Health - Musa bey Rafiyev (Musavat).
  12. State Inspector - Heybatgulu Mammadbeyli (Ittihad).


gollark: I think I may need to manually intervene.
gollark: The potatOS command computer, obviously.
gollark: Can we give potatOS a SCP designation?
gollark: Apparenntly yes.
gollark: Unfortunately there is no automatic process. But there are a lot of those potatOS IDs there.

References
  1. "Parliament of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan". axc.preslib.az. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  2. Azərbaycan Xalq Cümhuriyyəti (1918-1920), Parlament (Stenoqrafik hesabatlar) (PDF). Bakı: Azərbaycan Nəşriyyatı. 1998.
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