Politics 13:34 31/05/2024 World

U.S. House committee chair urged to advance legislation to stop aid to Azerbaijan

Leading national organizations representing Hellenic, Armenian, and Christian Americans today called upon Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee to allow his panel to consider two pending bipartisan bills – H.R.7288, the Armenian Protection Act, and H.R.8141, the Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), and In Defense of Christians (IDC).

H.R.7288, introduced by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) is the House counterpart to S.3000, introduced by Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and passed unanimously by the Senate last year. It aims to end the U.S. military aid program to Azerbaijan. The ANCA brief on this bill is available at: https://anca.org/lawlerbrief

H.R.8141, introduced by Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) supports the application of Global Magnitsky Sanctions against Azerbaijani officials guilty of human rights abuses and war crimes. The ANCA brief on this bill can be found at: Brief: https://anca.org/sanctionsbrief

The full text of the letter is provided below.

#####

May 30, 2024

Hon. Michael McCaul
Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs
2300 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman McCaul:

In light of Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and ongoing aggression against the Republic of Armenia, we are writing to respectfully request the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs schedule a full committee markup of H.R.7288 – the Armenian Protection Act – and H.R.8141 – the Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act.

H.R.7288 would prohibit the president of the United States from exercising his waiver authority over Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act for 2 years, enforcing statutory prohibitions on U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan. Its Senate companion bill – S.3000 – was introduced by Senator Gary Peters last year, and passed the Senate by unanimous consent.

H.R.8141 would require the President and the State Department to review the applicability of Global Magnitsky Act and other sanctions against Azerbaijani officials responsible for war crimes including the arbitrary detention and torture of Armenian prisoners of war, the summary execution of captives, and other human rights violations.

As you know, last year Azerbaijan imposed a 10-month blockade of the Lachin Corridor – the only road connecting the Armenian-majority region of Nagorno-Karabakh with the Republic of Armenia. Having deprived the local population of 120,000 Christian Armenians access to food, fuel, medicine, electricity, and humanitarian goods – Azerbaijan launched a military assault on the region, forcibly displacing its entire Armenian population in what legal experts have defined as ethnic cleansing. Since its military subjugation of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan has undertaken a systematic campaign of cultural destruction – threatening the survival of the world’s oldest churches and monasteries.

In testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last year, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia Ambassador Yuri Kim stated “the United States will not countenance any action or effort—short-term or long-term—to ethnically cleanse or commit other atrocities against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.” Despite this, Azerbaijan has faced no material consequences for its aggression – emboldening its authoritarian regime, which currently occupies Armenian sovereignty territory and regularly resorts to the threat and use of force to impose demands on Armenia.

The United States has historically furnished Azerbaijan with security assistance out of a misplaced belief that its regime has a role to play in U.S. security interests in the region. Azerbaijan has interpreted this material support as a green-light to pursue a brutal campaign of aggression against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh for decades – threatening one of the region’s only democracies. At the same time, Azerbaijan has bolstered its energy and security ties with Russia and Iran – undermining U.S. efforts to contain the malign influence of these two regional threats, and serving as a conduit for their regimes to evade international sanctions.

It is clear that in the absence of accountability and material consequences, Azerbaijan will continue unabated in its aggression against Armenia – undermining efforts to ensure an equitable and durable peace in the region.

The United States has the tools to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its aggression. Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act was enacted into law in 1992 in response to Azerbaijan’s blockade and use of military force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Successive administrations have routinely waived Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act under a waiver authority intended to secure Azerbaijan’s support for U.S. security interests in the region. However, in light of Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh – and its cooperation with Russia and Iran – the United States must reevaluate its military ties with Azerbaijan.

Furthermore, given the significant human rights violations perpetrated during the conflict, the United States must take action to hold individuals responsible for war crimes. The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act authorizes the U.S. to impose sanctions on foreign officials responsible for gross human rights violations. Given Azerbaijan’s ongoing detention of dozens of Armenian prisoners of war, Nagorno-Karabakh’s civilian leadership, and countless political prisoners – sanctions represent an important mechanism for deterring the credible risk of torture and abuse in custody, and securing a pathway to their unconditional release as mandated under international law.

Enforcing prohibitions on security assistance to Azerbaijan and imposing sanctions on those responsible for war crimes would not only ensure Azerbaijan’s regime faces material consequences for its flagrant violations of international law – it would also apply pressure on Azerbaijan to end its practice of coercive diplomacy, reducing the risk of a new war in the region.

As long as Azerbaijan continues to benefit from impunity amid its ongoing aggression and occupation of sovereign Armenian territory, its regime will believe there is more to gain from aggression and war than through negotiations. Given the role the United States has taken in facilitating peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, we have a responsibility to take action to constrain Azerbaijan’s aggression and ensure it comes to the negotiating table in good faith.

As such, we once again respectfully urge you to ensure an expeditious full-committee markup of H.R.7288 and H.R.8141. Amid the growing threat of authoritarian expansionism across the world today, the failure to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its assault on Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh will set a dangerous precedent and signal to U.S. rivals that the United States is only prepared to defend the principles of democracy, human rights, and rules-based order when convenient.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request. We look forward to your response and welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss further.

Sincerely,

[signed]
Aram Hamparian
Executive Director
ANCA

[signed]
Endy Zemenides
Executive Director
Hellenic American Leadership Council

[signed]
Richard Ghazal
Executive Director
In Defense of Christians



Source Panorama.am
Share |
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:07
Defense minister: Armenia has no plans to use military to reclaim occupied lands
Armenia has no plans to reclaim around 200 square kilometers of land currently under Azerbaijani occupation by military means, Defense...
16:50
Acba bank and American Express expand collaboration in Armenia
Acba bank and American Express have announced an expansion of their long-standing agreement which grants Acba the license to issue American...
16:34
Yerevan theater staff protests outside HRD office
Employees of Yerevan’s Goy Theater on Wednesday held a protest outside the office of Armenia’s human rights defender (HRD),...
16:03
Lemkin Institute slams COP29 participants for silence over Artsakh genocide
The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention has responded to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's remarks at the COP29 UN climate summit in...
15:46
Strong winds expected in Armenia on Saturday
Clear weather is expected in Armenia on Wednesday and in the next two days, the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center reports. Rain and...
15:28
Council of Europe committee urges Armenia to close Nubarashen Prison
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published today the report on...
14:58
Yerevan municipal employees remanded in custody
Four people, including three officials, have been detained for two months as part of a criminal probe into corruption at Yerevan's Kentron...
14:25
Bus carrying wedding guests falls into river in northern Pakistan
A bus carrying about two dozen wedding guests fell into the Indus River in northern Pakistan on Tuesday, killing at least 18 people, AP...
14:15
Opposition resolution calls for immediate release of Armenian prisoners held in Baku
The opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem factions in the Armenian parliament introduced a resolution calling for the immediate release of all...
13:36
Russian gas supply to Armenia suspended
Russian natural gas supply to Armenia has been temporarily halted due to emergency repairs on the Kazakh-Saguramo pipeline in Georgia. In a...
13:15
John Krasinski named People's Sexiest Man Alive
People magazine has named John Krasinski the 2024 Sexiest Man Alive. Krasinski was revealed to be the newest winner of the honorable title...
12:55
'No Armenian is safe': Ruben Vardanyan's son urges action on political prisoners held in Baku
In a heartfelt and compelling video, David Vardanyan, the son of Armenian humanitarian and former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan,...
12:30
Armenian FM, Stockholm City Council chair discuss cooperation opportunities
On November 12, within the framework of his visit to Sweden, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with President of the Stockholm City...
12:05
Azerbaijan, the rogue state hosting COP29: Artak Beglaryan's interview to Le Figaro
Artak Beglaryan, president of the Artsakh Union, former State Minister and Human rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Artsakh, gave an interview...
11:45
Trump names Elon Musk to lead new 'government efficiency' department
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday he's tapped tech billionaire Elon Musk, Tesla and SpaceX CEO, and former Republican...
11:30
Armenia's Aleks Sahakyan to be awarded IM title
Armenian chess player Aleks Sahakyan overcame the 2400 rating threshold within the framework of the World Youth Chess Championship and will be...
11:15
Armenians now have a new target: Jordan for buckling under Azerbaijan's pressure
By Harut Sassounian www.thecaliforniacourier.com As if Armenians did not have enough problems to deal with, they must now insist that...
11:00
Greta Thunberg arrives In Armenia, boycotting COP29 In Baku
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg arrived in Armenia on Tuesday after announcing a boycott of the COP29 UN climate summit in...
17:00
Rain, snow expected in Armenia on Tuesday
Rain and snow are expected in some parts of Armenia on Tuesday and over the weekend. Clear weather is forecast for the next three days....
16:45
Melania Trump expected to skip White House meeting with Jill Biden
Melania Trump is not expected to attend the traditional White House meeting with first lady Jill Biden, CNN reported, citing sources...
16:31
Urartu names new director
FC Urartu has named Davit Shakhbagyan as the club’s new general director. The specialist has been part of the club since 2015, it said...
16:06
Ruling party blocks statement on Armenian prisoners
The parliamentary faction of Armenia's ruling Civil Contract party on Tuesday blocked a statement demanding the release of...
15:30
Negotiations with Snoop Dogg continue for Yerevan concert, ministry says
The new date for the concert of famous American rapper Snoop Dogg in Yerevan remains unknown. The concert, which was initially scheduled for...
15:02
India reportedly ships first Akash air defence missile system battery to Armenia
India marks another milestone in its defence export as it shipped the first Akash weapon system battery to Armenia. This is the second missile...
14:34
Trump picks Kristi Noem as his Homeland Security secretary
President-elect Donald Trump has selected South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as his next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, CNN...
14:15
Four arrested after raids at Yerevan district administration
Four people, including officials, were arrested on Tuesday after law-enforcement authorities raided Yerevan's Kentron district...
13:36
Armenian Foreign Ministry explains Mirzoyan's statement on customs simplifications with Azerbaijan
At the ministerial meeting of the 3+3 regional consultative platform held in Istanbul on October 18, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan...
13:08
Bitcoin tops $89,000
Bitcoin’s record-breaking rally took the digital asset past $89,000 and lifted the overall value of the crypto market above its...
12:36
Armenia sees rise in pneumonia mortality rate
World Pneumonia Day is observed annually on November 12 to raise awareness about pneumonia, a life-threatening but preventable and...
12:13
Opposition urges parliament majority to join statement on Armenian prisoners
The opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem factions in the Armenian parliament have initiated a special sitting on the issue of Armenian prisoners...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}