U.S. lawmakers urge release of Armenian captives in Azerbaijan

PanARMENIAN.Net - A bipartisan group of 25 members of the U.S. Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues has called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz to assist in securing the release of Armenian prisoners unlawfully held in Azerbaijan and to reinforce the United States’ political involvement in protecting Armenia’s sovereignty and security in the South Caucasus, according to the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The letter—led by caucus co-chairs Frank Pallone, David Valadao, Brad Sherman, and Gus Bilirakis—was sent in the context of recent statements about finalizing a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It comes amid Azerbaijan’s demands to amend Armenia’s Constitution and to dismantle the OSCE Minsk Group. The letter calls for a decisive U.S. engagement to halt Azerbaijani aggression and overcome barriers to a fair and lasting peace in the region.

Commenting on the bipartisan appeal, Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of ANCA’s Washington office, stated: “The Armenian National Committee of America welcomes Congress’s bipartisan efforts to resist Azerbaijan’s attempts to impose unilateral concessions on Armenia under threat of force, a path that clearly leads to a false peace. Alongside our congressional allies and coalition partners, we insist that any dialogue toward a lasting and just peace must ensure the return of Armenians to Artsakh, Azerbaijan’s withdrawal from Armenian territories, international monitoring of Armenia’s borders, release of Armenian POWs, protection of Artsakh’s Christian heritage, resistance to Azerbaijani efforts to force constitutional changes on Armenia, and safeguarding Syunik as an integral part of Armenia’s sovereign territory.”

In the letter, the lawmakers stress the need for immediate and concrete American involvement to prevent setbacks in the peace process and to help secure the release of Armenian captives.

The members of Congress specifically noted: “We fully agree with Secretary Rubio that ‘now is the time to commit to peace’ in the South Caucasus, and we echo National Security Advisor Waltz’s call to ‘finalize this peace deal, release the prisoners, and work together to make the region safer and more prosperous.’ Achieving stable peace in the South Caucasus is a key national security interest and aligns directly with President Trump’s global peace initiatives. In light of continued Azerbaijani threats, the United States has a duty to strengthen trust and security in the region.”