Congressman Brad Sherman Leads Press Conference Urging Action to Stop Azerbaijan’s Blockade of Artsakh

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Congressional Armenian Caucus, led a press conference, along with the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and In Defense of Christians, to urge immediate action on Azerbaijan's continued brutal blockade of Artsakh. Congressman Sherman was also joined by his Congressional colleagues, including Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA), Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), and Congressman David Valadao (R-CA).

"The United States must act. The Armenia Caucus Co-Chairs and I are introducing a resolution condemning this deadly blockade," said Congressman Sherman. "I also urge the Administration to enforce real consequences on Azerbaijan for plunging the people of Artsakh into a humanitarian disaster, including sanctions. The Administration must enforce Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, stop all military assistance to Azerbaijan, and provide critical humanitarian aid to the people of Artsakh – actions that have been long overdue."

Azerbaijan's brutal 47-day blockade of 120,000 indigenous Armenians living in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) has led to a humanitarian calamity and the continuation of Azerbaijan's unabated campaign of aggression against the Armenian people. In addition to forcefully condemning Azerbaijan's actions, the soon-to-be introduced resolution would place the U.S. House of Representatives on record in favor of five practical remedies to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Artsakh caused by Azerbaijan's blockade of food, medicine, and other vital necessities, according to the ANCA.

"Let's be clear about what this is - an attempt by Azerbaijan to force Artsakh's ethnic Armenian population out of their homes by making life in Artsakh impossible. The tactic is blockade. The effect is civilian deprivation. The object is ethnic cleansing." Sherman concluded, "I will always stand with the people of Armenia and Artsakh as we continue to fight together for an end to attacks against Armenia and Artsakh."

Other distinguished participants at today's event included: Christian Solidarity International, the Anglican Office of Government and International Affairs, former U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Artsakh to the United States Robert Avetisyan.

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