U.S. Democratic Senator Adam Schiff released a message on the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, calling for accountability for Azerbaijan and those who continue to threaten Armenia and its people, reports Aravot.am .

"On this solemn anniversary, I join Armenians in California, across the United States, and around the world in remembering the 1.5 million men, women, and children targeted by the Ottoman Empire in a campaign of mass killings, rape, and violence. We must never forget the systematic effort that led to arrests, torture, live burnings, and death marches through exhaustion and starvation. Entire families were wiped out in what the U.S. ambassador at the time called a ‘campaign of race extermination.’"

Describing the Armenian Genocide as the 20th century's first genocide, Schiff emphasized the long-standing silence of the United States. “Though Congress and the White House have finally recognized the Armenian Genocide, we still have more to do to fully support our Armenian neighbors and friends. We must never retreat from that progress,” he stated.

He recalled meeting survivors and witnessing how the pain persists today. “We cannot say ‘never again’ unless we acknowledge that the wounds remain open even a century later—and tragically, they are reopening. Turkey continues its campaign of denial and silencing truth-tellers. Azerbaijan has revived the genocidal language and actions of a century ago.”

Schiff noted that with Turkey’s support, Azerbaijan attacked Artsakh in 2020 and imposed a blockade starting in December 2022. In 2023, the Aliyev regime forced ethnic cleansing on the starving population of Artsakh. “We must hold Azerbaijan accountable and confront those who continue to threaten Armenia and its people.”

He stressed that only with universal recognition of the genocide and an end to threats against Armenians can we truly honor those lost 110 years ago and support those who still bear that memory.

“The United States must call on Azerbaijan to release Armenian hostages, ensure safe return to Artsakh, and halt the destruction of Armenian cultural and religious sites. The U.S. should demand Azerbaijani troop withdrawal, release prisoners of war, uphold Armenia’s sovereignty, monitor its borders, and provide security support.”

Concluding, Schiff praised the resilience of the Armenian people: “Despite the trials they’ve endured, Armenians have never lost faith, determination, or the will to survive. They have faced immense hardship and loss and remain strong and unbroken. From our communities to the U.S. Senate, I will always stand with the Armenian people.”