Congressional Armenian Caucus co-chairs call on Biden to hold  Azerbaijan accountable for Artsakh war crimes 

ArmInfo.The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) welcomed a joint statement by 

Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA), calling on the Biden Administration to hold 

Azerbaijan accountable for its ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, facilitate the return of Armenians to Artsakh, and support Armenia's sovereignty in the face of ongoing Azerbaijani aggression.

"Our community, coalition partners, and Congressional allies are 

united in holding Azerbaijan accountable for its war crimes - from 

Aliyev's ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and destruction of Christian 

holy sites to his ongoing occupation of Armenian territory and 

illegal detention and abuse of Armenian prisoners," said ANCA 

Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "President Biden - having armed 

Azerbaijan's genocide of Artsakh - must now lead a global campaign 

for the safe and sustainable return of Armenians of Artsakh - under 

an international mandate, protected by international peacekeepers."

The Congressional Armenian Caucus statement, which coincides with the 

opening of the NATO Summit in Washington, DC, this week, calls on the 

Biden Administration to "ensure Azerbaijan faces consequences for its 

actions and is not rewarded for war crimes, human rights abuses, and 

the ethnic cleansing of over 120,000 Armenians from 

Nagorno-Karabakh."

It goes on to note that, "America must support Armenia's sovereignty 

and reject Azerbaijan's aggressive demands. This means stopping 

military aid to Azerbaijan and sanctioning officials responsible for 

abuses."

It concludes, noting, "As leaders gather at the NATO Summit, the 

Biden Administration must ensure Azerbaijan follows international 

laws, including returning Armenian prisoners of war, protecting 

cultural heritage sites, upholding the right of Armenians to return 

to their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh under international guarantees. 

Accountability is crucial for lasting peace in the South Caucasus."

The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan are in Washington, 

D.C., during the NATO Summit and are expected to have bilateral 

meetings with US government officials.