Washington, D.C. – During today’s hearing Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, announced that he is preparing legislation, the Azerbaijan Democracy Act, to address Azerbaijan’s abysmal human rights record, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). Co-Chair Smith also emphasized the importance of securing the release of the political prisoners and prisoners of war held by Azerbaijan, the need to protect Armenian cultural heritage as well as the fundamental right of return for the people of Artsakh to live in peace and freedom.
“We applaud the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for holding this important hearing to shine a bright light on the ongoing injustices perpetrated against the Armenian people,” said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “We express our gratitude to Co-Chair Rep. Smith for leading today’s powerful hearing and extend our deepest condolences to Co-Chair Jim McGovern on the passing of his daughter, Molly,” Ardouny continued.
All four expert witnesses with close knowledge of developments in Azerbaijan were highly critical of the Aliyev regime and its repressive policies that have choked off all press freedom in the country. They also pointedly condemned the misuse of the COP29 conference held in Baku in 2024 by President Aliyev and reported that repression only escalated in Azerbaijan after staging the event. All witnesses attested to human rights violations, the unlawful incarceration of activists and the sense of impunity by which the Aliyev regime conducts itself, especially since COP29.
Co-Chair Chris Smith (R-NJ) with Assembly Director of Research and Analysis Robert Avetisyan and Grassroots Associate Bettina Saraydaroglu at today’s hearing wherein Rep. Smith recalled working closely with the Armenian Assembly on affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
Read also
Former State Minister and Ombudsman of the Republic of Artsakh, Artak Beglaryan testified about the deliberate and methodical actions by Azerbaijan in continuance of the Armenian Genocide and the anti-Armenian hatred and policy of Azerbaijan. Mr. Beglaryan also outlined numerous policy recommendations for Congress and the Administration, including targeted sanctions against Azerbaijan.
Jared Genser, the Managing Director of Perseus Strategies indicated that since COP29 in November 2024, Azerbaijan has only accelerated its efforts to erase all traces of Christian heritage, and focused on the plight of the those unjustly held by Azerbaijan’s dictator on fabricated charges, including Ruben Vardanyan.
“Azerbaijan uses a sophisticated set of diplomatic tactics to blunt international criticism of its kleptocratic and repressive system,” said Miriam Lanskoy, Senior Director for Russia & Eurasia at the National Endowment for Democracy during her testimony. Lanskoy noted that a new pipeline is being built from Russia through Azerbaijan to Iran and that Azerbaijan recently held military exercises with Iran.
Andrea Prasow, the Executive Director of Freedom Now, detailed Azerbaijan’s repressive actions stating that Azerbaijan’s “authoritarian regime has a long history of political repression, media censorship and crackdowns on civil society,” which Prasow testified have only worsened since COP29, and set forward a series of policy recommendations.Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a strictly non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a strictly non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
Armenian Assembly of America
