Congressional Armenian Caucus co-chairs call on Biden to hold  Azerbaijan accountable for Artsakh war crimes 

ArmInfo.The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) welcomed a joint statement by  Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA), calling on the Biden Administration to hold  Azerbaijan accountable for its ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, facilitate the return of Armenians to Artsakh, and support Armenia's sovereignty in the face of ongoing Azerbaijani aggression.

    "Our community, coalition partners, and Congressional allies are  united in holding Azerbaijan accountable for its war crimes - from  Aliyev's ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and destruction of Christian  holy sites to his ongoing occupation of Armenian territory and  illegal detention and abuse of Armenian prisoners," said ANCA  Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "President Biden - having armed  Azerbaijan's genocide of Artsakh - must now lead a global campaign  for the safe and sustainable return of Armenians of Artsakh - under  an international mandate, protected by international peacekeepers."

    The Congressional Armenian Caucus statement, which coincides with the  opening of the NATO Summit in Washington, DC, this week, calls on the  Biden Administration to "ensure Azerbaijan faces consequences for its  actions and is not rewarded for war crimes, human rights abuses, and  the ethnic cleansing of over 120,000 Armenians from  Nagorno-Karabakh."

    It goes on to note that, "America must support Armenia's sovereignty  and reject Azerbaijan's aggressive demands. This means stopping  military aid to Azerbaijan and sanctioning officials responsible for  abuses."

    It concludes, noting, "As leaders gather at the NATO Summit, the  Biden Administration must ensure Azerbaijan follows international  laws, including returning Armenian prisoners of war, protecting  cultural heritage sites, upholding the right of Armenians to return  to their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh under international guarantees.  Accountability is crucial for lasting peace in the South Caucasus."

The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan are in Washington,  D.C., during the NATO Summit and are expected to have bilateral  meetings with US government officials.