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US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-NJ) introduced two powerful resolutions calling on the State Department to report about Turkey and Azerbaijan’s human rights violations, and the role of U.S. security aid in the repression and aggression, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The findings would serve as a basis for restricting or cutting all U.S. security assistance and arms sales to the two dictatorial regimes – a key policy priority for the ANCA.

“Azerbaijan’s ongoing aggression against the Armenian people – with Turkey’s full backing – has already exacted a painful toll on civilians in the region and resulted in appalling human rights abuses. The United States cannot continue providing security assistance and arms to Azerbaijan and Turkey as they move the region further and further away from peace,” Menendez said.

“Turkey’s pattern of violence extends beyond the South Caucasus to Syria, Iraq, and Libya, and both President Aliyev and President Erdogan have inflicted appalling abuses on their own people. This resolution pushes back against Azerbaijan’s and Turkey’s human rights abuses and paves the way to stop arming two governments that so often use their security forces to harm innocent people.”

Joining Sen. Menendez as original cosponsors of the two resolutions are Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI) as well as Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).