Members of Congress joined a Capitol Hill press conference on June 24 marking the 1,000th day of Azerbaijani detention of Armenian prisoners of war, former Artsakh officials, and civilian hostages, calling for their immediate and unconditional release and urging greater accountability for Azerbaijan.
The event was organized by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and featured remarks by Representatives Brad Sherman, Judy Chu (D-CA), Laura Friedman (D-CA), and Jim Costa (D-CA).
According to ANCA, at least 19 Armenian prisoners of war and civilian hostages remain in Azerbaijani custody, including former Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, former Presidents Bako Sahakyan and Arkadi Ghukasyan, National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, former Foreign Minister David Babayan, and senior military officials Levon Mnatsakanyan and Davit Manukyan.
During the press conference, lawmakers criticized the continued detention of Armenian prisoners and called for their unconditional release. Sherman stated that lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved while Armenian prisoners remain in Azerbaijani custody and highlighted ongoing congressional efforts to address the issue.
Chu referenced her previous visit to Artsakh and called for the protection of human rights, the return of displaced Armenians, and the release of detainees. Friedman raised concerns regarding the treatment of Armenian prisoners and the preservation of Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh, while Costa called for the immediate release of all detainees and the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from Armenian territory.
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian also addressed the gathering, criticizing the recently announced Armenia-Azerbaijan peace framework and arguing that it fails to address key issues related to the detention of Armenian prisoners, the displacement of Artsakh Armenians, and Azerbaijan’s actions in the region.
Hamparian characterized the agreement as a consolidation of the results of Azerbaijan’s military actions and the 2023 forced displacement of Artsakh’s Armenian population rather than a foundation for lasting peace. He argued that any durable settlement must include the release of Armenian hostages and prisoners of war, the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from Armenian territory, protections for Artsakh’s Armenian cultural and religious heritage, and conditions allowing displaced Artsakh Armenians to safely return to their homes.
He also urged Congress to maintain pressure on Azerbaijan through legislative measures and called for the enforcement of Section 907 restrictions on U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan. According to Hamparian, peace efforts that fail to address human rights concerns, accountability, and the status of detainees risk encouraging further instability rather than resolving underlying issues.
Several members of Congress also marked the occasion through public statements and social media posts. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), Representative Young Kim (R-CA), Representative Vince Fong (R-CA), and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission were among those who called for the release of Armenian detainees and urged continued diplomatic engagement on the issue.
The event coincides with congressional consideration of several Armenia-related measures, including a proposed amendment introduced by Sherman that calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Armenian prisoners of war and political prisoners held by Azerbaijan. The House Foreign Affairs Committee is expected to consider the amendment in the coming days, while additional Armenia-related measures addressing prisoners, Armenian sovereignty, cultural heritage protection, and the rights of displaced Artsakh Armenians continue to advance through Congress.
A video of the full Capitol Hill press conference is available here:
