Central Louisiana News

Washington, April 4, 2024 - U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Gary Peters (D-MI) have urged the U.S. Department of State to prioritize the release of Armenian political leaders currently being held illegally by Azerbaijan. The senators emphasized the importance of securing the release of these political prisoners as a crucial step towards achieving sustainable peace in the region.

The senators highlighted the plight of the detained leaders from Nagorno-Karabakh, including former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan and former Presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, among others. They expressed concern that the ongoing detention of these individuals hinders the peace process by silencing the voices of those directly affected by Azerbaijan's actions.

Azerbaijan's military assault on Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023, which resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis and forced thousands to flee, was condemned by the senators. They called for the international community to address Azerbaijan's actions as ethnic cleansing and to advocate for the right of Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenians to return to their homes under international guarantees.

The senators emphasized the necessity of imposing sanctions against Azerbaijani officials responsible for human rights violations and urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to prioritize the release of political prisoners as a precondition for any peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In a letter to Secretary Blinken, the senators stated, "Requiring the release of political prisoners and prisoners of war is a critical step to achieving a sustainable peace." They underscored the importance of ensuring that the voices of the detained leaders are heard in the peace negotiations to foster a more inclusive and lasting resolution to the conflict.

The senators' efforts to address the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh follow their previous actions, including introducing resolutions and sponsoring bills to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its human rights practices and alleged violations against ethnic Armenians.

The call to prioritize the release of political prisoners held by Azerbaijan reflects a broader push for justice, accountability, and peace in the region, as the international community continues to navigate the complexities of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.