Congressman Sherman Hosts Congressional Briefing on Azerbaijan's Ongoing Human Rights Abuses Against Armenians

WASHINTON, D.C. -- On January 31st, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), in cooperation with the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), hosted Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Gegham Stepanyan and former State Minister Artak Beglaryan on Capitol Hill for a Congressional briefing regarding the "inalienable rights, national interests, and democratic aspirations" of the Armenian people in Artsakh.

"We are here to demand the right of safe return of Artsakh's refugees to their homes, homes that in many cases have been occupied by their families for hundreds and hundreds of years," said Congressman Shermanduring the briefing. Sherman urged the enforcement of Section 907 restrictions on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan, sanctioning the Aliyev regime for the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh.

Congressman Sherman urged the Biden Administration to provide defensive military weapons to Armenia, "to avoid the next tragedy, which is being planned in Baku."

Congressman Sherman concluded his remarks with a message to President Aliyev, who claims that his main enemies are the Armenians of the world: "Well, I have news for you, Mr. Aliyev. Your main enemies are every person in the world who believes in democracy, who believes in human rights, and who believes in justice."

After the briefing, Sherman thanked the dignitaries and the ANCA for their efforts and powerful testimonies: "Honored to host Gegham Stepanyan and formerArtak Beglaryan, along with the ANCA, for a powerful briefing about Azerbaijan's severe human rights abuses against the Armenians of Artsakh. The world cannot turn away from this issue."

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