Letter to U.S. Representatives Urging them to Cosponsor NDAA Amendments Demanding the Release of Armenian Prisoners
I am writing to urge you to cosponsor four ANCA-backed amendments to the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act. On June 23rd, Armenian hostages held illegally in Azerbaijani jails mark their 1,000th day in captivity. At the same time, Azerbaijani forces continue to occupy sovereign Armenian territory and demolish Armenian Christian heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). Azerbaijan has refused to address any of this at the negotiating table.
The four amendments my family and I are urging you to cosponsor would impose genuine accountability:
– Amendment 443 (Rep. Bilirakis) — Requires annual certification that Azerbaijan has released Armenian prisoners, withdrawn from Armenian territory, ceased hostilities, and recognized the right of return for displaced Armenians. It also bars the Section 907 waiver if that certification cannot be made.
– Amendment 856 (Rep. Sherman) — Expresses the sense of Congress that Azerbaijan must immediately and unconditionally release all Armenian prisoners, and directs the U.S. to use every available diplomatic, economic, and legal tool — including Global Magnitsky sanctions — to secure their freedom.
– Amendment 920 (Rep. Amo) — Bars U.S. security assistance to Azerbaijan under Section 333 until Azerbaijan withdraws from Armenian territory, releases all prisoners, ceases hostilities, and commits to protecting Armenian cultural and religious heritage in Artsakh.
– Amendment 1010 (Rep. Pallone) — Conditions the President’s Section 907 waiver authority on Azerbaijan demonstrably releasing prisoners, withdrawing forces, protecting Armenian Christian heritage, and ceasing the destruction of Armenian property.
I urge you to cosponsor all four amendments ahead of Rules Committee consideration. For more information, please contact the Armenian National Committee of America at (202) 775-1918 or legislative@anca.org.
Sincerely,
