ANCA briefs US Congress on Artsakh humanitarian crisis

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) briefed more than 80 Congressional offices about the brutal impact of Azerbaijan’s ongoing ethnic cleansing of the 120,000 Armenian Christians from Artsakh.

The Congressional ZOOM discussion was led by ANCA Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan, with Artsakh spokespeople describing a dire situation in the country. During the presentation, a massive gas explosion was reported in Stepanakert, resulting in hundreds injured, overwhelming local hospitals, and requiring emergency airlifts to save lives.

According to the ANCA, over the past three years – despite repeated calls by Members of Congress, the Armenian American community, and a coalition of ethnic, human rights, and faith-based groups – the Biden Administration has refused to send U.S. humanitarian assistance to Artsakh, while continuing U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan’s corrupt Aliyev regime.

During the Congressional briefing, the ANCA and Artsakh spokespeople urged Congress to press the Biden Administration to:

1) Send immediate humanitarian assistance – including an airlift – to help the growing number of Artsakh refugees in Armenia and those still under Azerbaijani threat in Artsakh.

2) Provide US and international monitors in Artsakh and along the humanitarian corridor to Armenia to ensure the safety of the Armenian population from further Azerbaijani aggression.

3) Enforce Section 907 restrictions on US military assistance to Azerbaijan

4) Sanction Azerbaijan for its aggression and genocidal actions against Artsakh’s indigenous Armenian population.