Only Sanctions Can Force Azerbaijan to Respect Human Rights: Discussion in the U.S. Congress Commission
On April 29, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. Congress held a hearing on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan following COP29. The hearing was chaired by Commission Co-Chair Chris Smith. Testimonies on the topic were delivered by former State Minister of Artsakh Artak Beglaryan, Ruben Vardanyan’s international lawyer and prominent American human rights advocate Jared Genser, Miriam Lanskoy, Senior Director for Russia and Eurasia at the National Endowment for Democracy, and Andrea Prasow, Executive Director of Freedom Now.
The speakers presented specific evidence regarding Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of the people of Artsakh, the violence committed, the brutal treatment of Armenian detainees held in Baku, the persecution of civil society activists and journalists, and the oppression and torture of Azerbaijani political prisoners.
All participants called on the U.S. administration and Congress to impose targeted sanctions against Azerbaijani officials.
“I call on the U.S. Congress to apply targeted sanctions against all individuals and Azerbaijani officials responsible for these mass atrocities,” said Artak Beglaryan, specifically proposing to halt any kind of military aid or supply to Azerbaijan and to condition any U.S. assistance on measurable improvements in human rights, including the release of Armenian hostages.
Jared Genser, Ruben Vardanyan’s international lawyer, emphasized that perpetrators never release hostages willingly. He stressed the importance of coordinated efforts by the new U.S. administration, Congress, and all organizations concerned with democracy and human rights to clearly show the Aliyev regime that there will be real and serious consequences. “Aliyev has twisted the truth not only to justify the imprisonment of Ruben Vardanyan but also to justify the ethnic cleansing of an entire people. It is our duty to stand by those unjustly detained and to hold Aliyev accountable—directly and through all available means in a democratic society,” Genser stated.
Andrea Prasow, Executive Director of Freedom Now, underlined that if the U.S. and other countries do not adopt a stricter stance, Azerbaijan will continue its violations and attacks on civil society with impunity. She also stressed the importance of applying targeted sanctions, including travel and financial restrictions.
Commission Co-Chair Chris Smith considered the hearing valuable, noting that the testimonies provided by the participants would be presented to congressional leadership and all members. He expressed hope that appropriate conclusions would be drawn, which would serve as a basis for imposing sanctions on Azerbaijan: “We have sanctions, such as the Global Magnitsky sanctions. An analysis must be conducted, and these sanctions should be extended to all violators, including in Azerbaijan. I hope the new administration picks up this ball, which is now in its court.”
