Congress legislation demands Azerbaijan’s release of Armenian POWs March 17, 2021 - 15:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Over 30 U.S. Representatives joined House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA) in introducing new legislation, led by the Congressional Armenian Caucus leaders, calling on Azerbaijan to immediately release over 200 Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians, illegally kept hostage over 100 days after the November 9th ceasefire statement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). The ANCA issued a call to action last week encouraging U.S. House Members to be original cosponsors at the time of the bill’s introduction. Pro-Armenia and human rights advocates can continue to encourage co-sponsorship and passage of the measure by visiting the webpage. Members of Congress joining Representative Schiff and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone Jr.(D-NJ), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Jackie Speier (D-CA), and David Valadao (R-CA), as original cosponsors of this bipartisan legislation, include Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Don Beyer (D-VA), Judy Chu (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Katherine Clark (D-MA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), James Langevin (D-RI), Andy Levin (D-MI), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Katie Porter (D-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), and Dina Titus (D-NV). “It is unacceptable that more than 100 days after the end of the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, hundreds of Armenian service members and civilians remain in Azerbaijani custody, where little is known of their condition, treatment, or well-being,” said Rep. Schiff. “Azerbaijan has an obligation to release these prisoners immediately – the longer the delay, the more it demonstrates their disregard for human rights and international law. Azerbaijan is already guilty of grave atrocities committed during the recent war, and this compounds the problem. The United States must use all diplomatic means to secure the immediate release of these detained POWs and civilians, and to impose consequences on Azerbaijan for their continued violations of human rights.” The legislation cites findings that Azerbaijani military forces have mistreated ethnic Armenian prisoners of war and subjected them to “physical abuse and humiliation,” including beheadings, summary executions, and the desecration of human remains. The measure specifically highlights "significant concern that female detainees in particular could be subject to sexual assaults and other mistreatment," and asks the State Department to "to engage at all levels with Azerbaijani authorities including through the OSCE Minsk Group process to make clear the importance of adhering to their obligations under the November 9th statement & international law to immediately release all prisoners of war and captured civilians."   Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says.   Partner news |  Latest news Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP  Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan.41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience.Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine.EU still discussing funding Armenia through European Peace Facility Discussions continue in the EU on providing Armenia with funds from the European Peace Facility, Vassilis Maragos says. |
