US Congress Members Urge White House to Ensure Safe Return of Armenians to Artsakh

The Bureau of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has reported that members of Congress are urging US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to secure the "united, protected, and dignified return" of displaced Armenians to their homeland of Artsakh, within the framework of international law and with the goal of establishing lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

Commenting on the bipartisan letter prepared with the support of the ANCA, the Executive Director of the ANCA Washington Office, Aram Hambaryan, stated: "This bipartisan letter sends a clear message to the administration: any pathway to lasting peace must begin with recognition of the right of return to Artsakh, rather than legitimizing the ethnic cleansing of the indigenous Christian population by Azerbaijan. We are grateful to the leadership of the Congressional Armenian Caucus and all the members who stood by the principles of return and justice within the framework of international law and human rights."

According to the source, the initiators of the letter are co-chairs of the Congressional Armenian Caucus Frank Pallone, Gus Bilirakis, Brad Sherman, and David Valadao. In their message, they state: "We urge you to engage all parties to the conflict to ensure the united, protected, and dignified return of displaced Armenians to their homeland. This step is consistent with international law and contributes to establishing just and lasting peace in the region."

The letter documents the consequences of Azerbaijan's blockade and military attack on Artsakh in 2023, which resulted in the "displacement of the entire approximately 120,000 Christian Armenian population." It also notes that following the attack, Azerbaijan has systematically destroyed monuments of Armenian Christian cultural heritage and "looted and devastated civilian property and public infrastructure with the intent of precluding the possibility of return."

The letter emphasizes that "the right to return of displaced peoples as a result of war is a fundamental principle of international law." It also mentions the order issued by the International Court of Justice in 2023, directing Azerbaijan to ensure the safe and secure return of the Armenian population of Artsakh.

The Bureau of the ANCA has indicated that the Congress members specifically call on the US administration to support the peace initiative adopted by the Swiss Parliament, which aims to "create an international negotiating platform to ensure the safe, protected, and internationally guaranteed return of Armenians." This Swiss initiative was widely discussed during a special hearing in the US Congress on July 10, attended by more than 200 Congressional staff, human rights defenders, and political analysts. Speakers at the event included Swiss Parliament members Erich von Tobel and Lukas Reimann, President of the International Christian Solidarity Organization John Eibner, and former Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan, while the discussion was moderated by ANCA's Director of Political Affairs Alex Galitskin.

In the past month, American Armenian activists and supporters, through ANCA's national, regional, and local platforms, have sent over 40,000 emails to members of Congress and made numerous phone calls urging them to sign this letter. Participants in ANCA's youth educational programs visited over 400 congressional offices and highlighted key political priorities from the perspective of Armenian interests.

The legislators also reaffirm the previous commitments of the US, citing a statement from US State Department official Jim O'Brien: "We have called on Azerbaijan to ensure the safe, dignified, and sustainable return of all ethnic Armenians displaced from Artsakh, guaranteeing their rights and security."

The Bureau of the ANCA notes that the Congress members' message concludes with the following clear demand: "We expect your response and are ready to work with you to promote just, strong, and dignified peace in the region that guarantees the fundamental right of displaced Armenians to return to their homeland without fear of renewed violence or persecution."