U.S. House demands investigation into Azerbaijani war crimes

PanARMENIAN.Net - After the U.S. House Rules Committee cleared the path for full House consideration of four amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, the House of Representatives on Wednesday, July 13 passed one of the amendments calling for an investigation into Azerbaijani war crimes against Armenians in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), the Armenian National Committee of America reported.

The U.S. House adopted on Wednesday an ANCA-backed amendment spearheaded by representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), calling for a report by the State Department and Defense Department that would detail the use of U.S. parts in Turkish drones used by Azerbaijan against Armenia and Artsakh, T The amendment also calls for an investigation into Azerbaijan’s use of white phosphorous, cluster bombs and other prohibited munitions deployed against Artsakh; Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s recruitment of foreign terrorist fighters during the 2020 Artsakh war. The amendment (#121) was adopted as part of “en bloc 1” – a larger grouping of amendments to the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R.7900)

Joining Representatives Cardenas and Sherman as Congressional cosponsors of the bipartisan amendment include Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Judy Chu (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), James Langevin (D-RI), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Andy Levin (D-MI), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and David Valadao (R-CA).

Asbarez will provide complete coverage of the House vote on the various pro-Arstakh/Armenia amendments.

On Tuesday, the House Rules Committee approved House consideration of other amendments, including one that will prohibit the sale of F-16 fighter jets and relevant parts to Turkey.

“We would like to thank Chairman McGovern for his leadership of the Rules Committee and to express our appreciation to the authors, cosponsors, and all those – in our community and among our coalition partners – who helped bring these ANCA-backed amendments to the U.S. House floor,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian on Tuesday. “We will, in the coming days, strongly back each of these amendments holding Azerbaijan and Turkey accountable – rallying bipartisan support for their passage and ultimate enactment into law.”