Azerbaijan Tightens the Noose Around Nagorno-Karabakh: Hearings on Artsakh Held in U.S. Congress

The U.S. cannot accept the threat of genocide or ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. This was stated by Congressman Chris Smith during hearings titled "Defending the People of Nagorno-Karabakh" at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.

The Congressman emphasized that the small vulnerable population of Nagorno-Karabakh is surrounded by larger and more powerful Azerbaijani forces, supported by Turkey. "Since 2020, Azerbaijan has been tightening the noose around Nagorno-Karabakh. Its forces have not only occupied large parts of the former territory but have also even encroached on the territory of Armenia itself. The Azerbaijani government has violated agreements, making it increasingly difficult for people in Nagorno-Karabakh to obtain food and other goods... While our government is engaging in discussions with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, we in Congress must question which direction all this is heading... Our country simply cannot accept the threat of genocide or ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh," Smith noted.

Another congressman moderating the hearings, Jim McGovern, highlighted that the discussion is taking place amid concerns that the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh are in danger. This fear, according to the congressman, is justified, given the genocide against Armenians by the Ottoman Empire, which has been recognized by President Joe Biden.