U.S. Congress discusses issue of Armenian POWs in Baku

PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. Congress hosted several discussions as part of the International Religious Freedom Summit, where speakers raised concerns about the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, Armenian prisoners of war in Azerbaijan, and threats to Armenian cultural heritage in the region. They urged the U.S. administration to take action on these issues.

Congressman Chris Smith, speaking on Armenian-related concerns, criticized past U.S. policies on Nagorno-Karabakh, condemned Turkey for denying the Armenian Genocide, and accused Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing in the region, reports Voice of America.

"I have met with Aliyev twice, face-to-face in his office, and debated him over his policies toward the Armenian people and his human rights approach, particularly in Nagorno-Karabakh. I believe we must deepen our friendship and cooperation with the people of Armenia and make that absolutely clear," said Congressman Smith.

During the discussions on Armenia, speakers again called on the U.S. administration to take steps regarding the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, the situation of Armenian POWs and detainees in Azerbaijan, and the preservation of Armenian cultural heritage.

According to Aram Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), the summit presents an opportunity to shift U.S. policy toward greater accountability. He expressed hope that the administration would impose sanctions on Azerbaijan, enforce Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, which restricts military aid to Baku, and push for the release of Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan as well as the dignified return of Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh.

The summit is set to begin on February 4. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, currently visiting Washington, is scheduled to deliver a speech at the event.