Friday, June 2 2023 11:56

ArmInfo. Pressing for specific actions to reverse current Aliyev and Erdogan regime patterns of  blatantly anti-democratic policies, in testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Armenian Assembly highlighted the "ongoing existential threats, intimidation, and blockade by authoritarian regimes" faced by Armenia and Artsakh, noting that their democracies are at stake. 

"Today's testimony comes at a critical time as the Armenian people  yet again are confronted with the specter of ethnic cleansing and  genocide," stated the Assembly's testimony by Executive Director  Bryan Ardouny. Noting that as delicate peace negotiations are  underway under international auspices, the autocratic leader of  Azerbaijan has ramped up his conditions by demanding that the  Armenians of Artsakh forgo their democratic institutions, and that  their leaders "turn themselves in."

The Assembly highlighted the concerns raised by the Lemkin Institute  for Genocide Prevention, which implored President Joe Biden and  Secretary Antony Blinken "to fully consider the implications of  ignoring existing early warning systems and genocide prevention  protocols by rewarding Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for his  threats against Armenia," as well as the "long-term catastrophic  implications" beyond Armenians "for international peace and security"  by "[r]ewarding a dictator who has publicly threatened genocide." The  Assembly's testimony highlighted that "to this day, Azerbaijan  continues its ruthless war, with ongoing border incursions in  violation of Armenia's sovereignty and boasting that `[w]e have  destroyed Armenia.'" 

"History has shown that appeasing dictators only serves to further  embolden them," stated Ardouny and emphasized that the "Assembly's  position is clear: stand up for democracy and human rights and oppose  genocide; stop providing aid to Azerbaijan by imposing sanctions  starting with the enforcement of Section 907 of the Freedom Support  Act." The Lemkin Institute also rightly expressed concerns that  "threats to Armenia's continued existence" are being used "as a stick  to force it to agree to very lopsided agreements" in the peace  negotiations, or else "face Azeri and Turkish aggression alone."

The Artsakh Foreign Ministry for its part stated that "[t]he fact  that the Azerbaijani president has once again resorted to open  threats and outright blackmail leaves no doubt that Azerbaijan  consistently denies the very possibility of resolving the  Azerbaijani- Karabakh conflict through negotiations." 

The Assembly reiterated its position "that any peace agreement must  be acceptable to the people of Artsakh, and as it has done so in the  past, urges Congress and the Administration to uphold the fundamental  principles of democracy, the right to self- determination, and the  universal human rights of the people of Artsakh." The Armenian  Assembly also noted "with deep concern the May 30, 2023 press  statement by U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller that  the U.S. welcomes `President Aliyev's recent remarks on consideration  of amnesty'" and urged "an immediate correction, if not a  retraction." With respect to Turkiye, the Assembly reminded the  Committee that the "Erdogan regime, despite previously espousing a  policy of "zero problems" with its neighbors, continues to deny the  Armenian Genocide, and in the recent presidential elections  candidates touted slogans calling for isolating Armenia (which it  already blockades) and diminishing its democracy."

Citing Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray's and Vice  Chair Susan Collins's support for "standing up for democracy around  the world," the Assembly urged "robust assistance to buttress the  democracies of Armenia and Artsakh," $100 million and $50 million,  respectively.

The Assembly also expressed its appreciation to Congress "for its  longstanding assistance to Armenia and Artsakh, including the "1988  earthquake in Armenia, as Armenia moved boldly toward independence in  1991, during Artsakh's struggle for freedom and democracy, and  through America's proud record of humanitarian intervention during  the 1915 Armenian Genocide and the historic passage of the Armenian  Genocide Resolution in December of 2019 in the United States Senate."

Recalling S.J.Res. 128, bipartisan legislation that condemned  Azerbaijan's violent actions noting that "Azerbaijani forces have  destroyed Armenian villages and depopulated Armenian areas in and  around Nagorno-Karabakh in violation of internationally recognized  human rights," the Assembly highlighted that it reconfirmed "the  commitment of the United States to the success of democracy and  self-determination," and "sent a clear message supporting the  aspirations of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and principles of  which, the Armenian Assembly has consistently supported." "The  Assembly was proud then as it is now to stand in support of  democracy, human rights and freedom for Artsakh and Armenia," stated  Executive Director Bryan Ardouny in his testimony.