Congressional Armenian Caucus co-chairs call on Biden to hold Azerbaijan accountable for Artsakh war crimes
ArmInfo.The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) welcomed a joint statement by
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA), calling on the Biden Administration to hold
Azerbaijan accountable for its ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, facilitate the return of Armenians to Artsakh, and support Armenia's sovereignty in the face of ongoing Azerbaijani aggression.
"Our community, coalition partners, and Congressional allies are
united in holding Azerbaijan accountable for its war crimes - from
Aliyev's ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and destruction of Christian
holy sites to his ongoing occupation of Armenian territory and
illegal detention and abuse of Armenian prisoners," said ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "President Biden - having armed
Azerbaijan's genocide of Artsakh - must now lead a global campaign
for the safe and sustainable return of Armenians of Artsakh - under
an international mandate, protected by international peacekeepers."
The Congressional Armenian Caucus statement, which coincides with the
opening of the NATO Summit in Washington, DC, this week, calls on the
Biden Administration to "ensure Azerbaijan faces consequences for its
actions and is not rewarded for war crimes, human rights abuses, and
the ethnic cleansing of over 120,000 Armenians from
Nagorno-Karabakh."
It goes on to note that, "America must support Armenia's sovereignty
and reject Azerbaijan's aggressive demands. This means stopping
military aid to Azerbaijan and sanctioning officials responsible for
abuses."
It concludes, noting, "As leaders gather at the NATO Summit, the
Biden Administration must ensure Azerbaijan follows international
laws, including returning Armenian prisoners of war, protecting
cultural heritage sites, upholding the right of Armenians to return
to their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh under international guarantees.
Accountability is crucial for lasting peace in the South Caucasus."
The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan are in Washington,
D.C., during the NATO Summit and are expected to have bilateral
meetings with US government officials.