A call for U.S. leadership in holding Azerbaijan accountable for war crimes and human rights violations has been made by sixty members of the U.S. Congress. The letter, led by Representative Frank Pallone and Senator Ed Markey, urges action before the COP29 United Nations climate summit in Baku this November, as reported by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
ANCA executive director Aram Hamparian emphasized the need for world leaders to address Azerbaijan’s human rights abuses and greenwashing of war crimes. The letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urges tangible measures to support regional peace and uphold human rights, especially in light of Azerbaijan’s actions in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020.
The lawmakers stressed the importance of releasing political prisoners, hostages, and POWs, including ethnic Armenians. They called for accountability and the safe return of displaced civilians, highlighting Azerbaijan’s violations of international law and ongoing human suffering.