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ANCA Rapid Responder Letters: Demand Release of Armenian POWs

Letter to Representatives Urging them to Cosponsor the Resolution Demanding Azerbaijan’s Release of Armenian POWs

Dear Representative:

My family and I were horrified to learn that 19 Armenian POWs have reportedly been killed by Azerbaijani forces, with another 200 Armenian men and women still held hostage by Azerbaijan over six months after the November 9th ceasefire. I am writing to urge you to work for passage of H.Res.240, introduced by the Armenian Caucus, seeking Azerbaijan’s immediate release of these Armenian captives.

Horrific videos posted by Azerbaijani soldiers torturing, mutilating, and killing captured Armenian civilians and soldiers, destroying Christian holy sites, and celebrating their desecration of Armenian graves continue to circulate over two months after the disastrous ceasefire deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. These horrific images – posted during and after the 45-day attack by Azerbaijan and its Turkish/ISIS allies against Artsakh and Armenia – are consistent with the venomous anti-Armenian incitement the Aliyev regime has been promoting for years. Instead of condemning these posts and punishing those guilty of these videotaped abuses, the Azerbaijani government continues to double down on its anti-Armenian hatred.

I ask you to support this resolution and to call on the President to demand a stop to the torture of Armenian captives, forcefully condemn Azerbaijani abuses, and demand the immediate release of all Armenians held captive by Azerbaijani forces (an agreed-upon provision of the cease-fire). The U.S. should pursue justice for any and all crimes of war committed against Armenian civilians and soldiers. I also urge you to contact Andrew Schofer, the U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, for a detailed report on the full scope and details of U.S. government information regarding abuses committed against Armenians during and after Azerbaijan’s aggression. Finally, I ask you to reach out to the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding the immediate release of all Armenians held captive by Azerbaijani forces. The Human Rights Ombudsmen of both Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) have reported that Baku is not honoring this term of its cease-fire agreement.

As you know, international law – including multiple treaties and conventions to which Azerbaijan is a party – requires that prisoners of war be released and repatriated without delay after the end of hostilities, and treated humanely in all circumstances. Silence on the part of the U.S. government – in the face of globally available social media content documenting violent and even lethal abuses of captive Armenians – only emboldens the Aliyev regime to further escalate its anti-Armenian incitement and violence.

Sincerely,

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Letter to Representatives Who Have Cosponsored the Resolution Demanding Azerbaijan’s Release of Armenian POWs

Dear Representative:

My family and I were horrified to learn that 19 Armenian POWs have reportedly been killed by Azerbaijani forces, with another 200 Armenian men and women still held hostage by Azerbaijan over six months after the November 9th ceasefire. I am writing to thank you for supporting passage H.Res.240, introduced by the Armenian Caucus, seeking their immediate release, and ask you issue a statement condemning the murder of the 19 Armenian hostages.

Horrific videos posted by Azerbaijani soldiers torturing, mutilating, and killing captured Armenian civilians and soldiers, destroying Christian holy sites, and celebrating their desecration of Armenian graves continue to circulate over two months after the disastrous ceasefire deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. These horrific images – posted during and after the 45-day attack by Azerbaijan and its Turkish/ISIS allies against Artsakh and Armenia – are consistent with the venomous anti-Armenian incitement the Aliyev regime has been promoting for years. Instead of condemning these posts and punishing those guilty of these videotaped abuses, the Azerbaijani government continues to double down on its anti-Armenian hatred.

In addition to supporting this resolution, please call on the President to demand a stop to the torture of Armenian captives, forcefully condemn Azerbaijani abuses, and demand the immediate release of all Armenians held captive by Azerbaijani forces (an agreed-upon provision of the cease-fire). The U.S. should pursue justice for any and all crimes of war committed against Armenian civilians and soldiers. I also urge you to contact Andrew Schofer, the U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, for a detailed report on the full scope and details of U.S. government information regarding abuses committed against Armenians during and after Azerbaijan’s aggression. Finally, I ask you to reach out to the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding the immediate release of all Armenians held captive by Azerbaijani forces. The Human Rights Ombudsmen of both Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) have reported that Baku is not honoring this term of its cease-fire agreement.

As you know, international law – including multiple treaties and conventions to which Azerbaijan is a party – requires that prisoners of war be released and repatriated without delay after the end of hostilities, and treated humanely in all circumstances. Silence on the part of the U.S. government – in the face of globally available social media content documenting violent and even lethal abuses of captive Armenians – only emboldens the Aliyev regime to further escalate its anti-Armenian incitement and violence.

Thank you again, I look forward to learning of your actions on each of my requests.

Sincerely,

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Letters to Senators Demanding Azerbaijan’s Release of Armenian POWs

Dear Senator:

My family and I were horrified to learn that 19 Armenian POWs have reportedly been killed by Azerbaijani forces, with another 200 Armenian men and women still held hostage by Azerbaijan over six months after the November 9th ceasefire.

I am writing to ask you to work for Azerbaijan’s immediate release of the Armenian captives and publicly condemn Azerbaijan’s actions.

Horrific videos posted by Azerbaijani soldiers torturing, mutilating, and killing captured Armenian civilians and soldiers, destroying Christian holy sites, and celebrating their desecration of Armenian graves continue to circulate over two months after the disastrous ceasefire deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. These horrific images – posted during and after the 45-day attack by Azerbaijan and its Turkish/ISIS allies against Artsakh and Armenia – are consistent with the venomous anti-Armenian incitement the Aliyev regime has been promoting for years. Instead of condemning these posts and punishing those guilty of these videotaped abuses, the Azerbaijani government continues to double down on its anti-Armenian hatred.

I ask you to call on the President to demand a stop to the torture of Armenian captives, forcefully condemn Azerbaijani abuses, and demand the immediate release of all Armenians held captive by Azerbaijani forces (an agreed-upon provision of the cease-fire). The U.S. should pursue justice for any and all crimes of war committed against Armenian civilians and soldiers. I also urge you to contact Andrew Schofer, the U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, for a detailed report on the full scope and details of U.S. government information regarding abuses committed against Armenians during and after Azerbaijan’s aggression. Finally, I ask you to reach out to the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding the immediate release of all Armenians held captive by Azerbaijani forces. The Human Rights Ombudsmen of both Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) have reported that Baku is not honoring this term of its cease-fire agreement.

As you know, international law – including multiple treaties and conventions to which Azerbaijan is a party – requires that prisoners of war be released and repatriated without delay after the end of hostilities, and treated humanely in all circumstances. Silence on the part of the U.S. government – in the face of globally available social media content documenting violent and even lethal abuses of captive Armenians – only emboldens the Aliyev regime to further escalate its anti-Armenian incitement and violence.

I look forward to learning of your actions on each of my requests.

Sincerely,

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Letter to President Biden Demanding Azerbaijan’s Release of Armenian POWs

Dear Mr. President:

My family and I were horrified to learn that 19 Armenian POWs have reportedly been killed by Azerbaijani forces, with another 200 Armenian men and women still held hostage by Azerbaijan over six months after the November 9th ceasefire.

I am writing to ask you to work for Azerbaijan’s immediate release of Armenian men and women illegally held hostage months after the end of fighting.

Horrific videos posted by Azerbaijani soldiers torturing, mutilating, and killing captured Armenian civilians and soldiers, destroying Christian holy sites, and celebrating their desecration of Armenian graves continue to circulate over two months after the disastrous ceasefire deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. These horrific images – posted during and after the 45-day attack by Azerbaijan and its Turkish/ISIS allies against Artsakh and Armenia – are consistent with the venomous anti-Armenian incitement the Aliyev regime has been promoting for years. Instead of condemning these posts and punishing those guilty of these videotaped abuses, the Azerbaijani government continues to double down on its anti-Armenian hatred.

Demand a stop to the torture of Armenian captives, forcefully condemn Azerbaijani abuses, and call publicly for the immediate release of all Armenians held captive by Azerbaijani forces (an agreed-upon provision of the cease-fire). The U.S. should pursue justice for any and all crimes of war committed against Armenian civilians and soldiers. I also urge you to contact Andrew Schofer, the U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, for a detailed report on the full scope and details of U.S. government information regarding abuses committed against Armenians during and after Azerbaijan’s aggression. Finally, I ask you to reach out to the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding the immediate release of all Armenians held captive by Azerbaijani forces. The Human Rights Ombudsmen of both Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) have reported that Baku is not honoring this term of its cease-fire agreement.

As you know, international law – including multiple treaties and conventions to which Azerbaijan is a party – requires that prisoners of war be released and repatriated without delay after the end of hostilities, and treated humanely in all circumstances. Silence on the part of the U.S. government – in the face of globally available social media content documenting violent and even lethal abuses of captive Armenians – only emboldens the Aliyev regime to further escalate its anti-Armenian incitement and violence.

I look forward to learning of your actions on each of my requests.

Sincerely,

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