- April 23, 2024
Washington, D.C. – Global ARM has anxiously awaited the release of the U.S. State Department’s 2023 Human Rights Reports, viewing this annual process as an opportunity for the U.S. Government to highlight the worsening circumstances faced by ethnic Armenians as Azerbaijani forces continue to perpetuate human rights violations in the South Caucasus.
Detailed comments that Global ARM submitted to the State Department for its consideration in preparing this year’s report can be found here.
The 2023 Country Report for Azerbaijan exposes a deteriorating situation, including the devastating effects of the 10-month blockade of the Lachin Corridor in violation of an International Court of Justice (ICJ) order demanding unimpeded access from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh. This illegal blockade led to severe shortages of food and medicine in Nagorno-Karabakh, the displacement of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians due to Azerbaijan’s unprovoked military offensive, and the lack of investigation into extrajudicial killings and torture of Armenian servicemen and civilians. Additionally, it highlights the alarmingly inhumane conditions in prisons, persistent judicial abuses, and systematic discrimination against Armenians. These observations reflect a demonstrated pattern of behavior that enables the Azerbaijani Government’s continued impunity and ongoing efforts to erase Armenia and the Armenian people.
“While the Azerbaijan Country Report aligns with human rights violations identified by Global ARM and generally describes a thoroughly corrupt and politically repressive state, the findings regrettably tiptoe around well-documented war crimes and racial hate against Armenians,” said Global ARM President Timothy Jemal. “It is disappointing the State Department missed this opportunity to be more assertive and definitively conclude that severe human rights violations committed by Azerbaijan against ethnic Armenians constitute ethnic cleansing.”
Building on the robust evidence included in this year’s Country Report for Azerbaijan, Global ARM urges the State Department to go beyond compiling reports from humanitarian and global justice organizations to announce its own conclusions reflecting the gravity of the situation. In her September 14, 2023 testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasian Affairs Yuri Kim articulated the U.S. stance regarding Azerbaijani aggression by stating “the U.S. will not countenance any action or effort—short-term or long-term—to ethnically cleanse or commit other atrocities against the Armenian population of NK.”
Global ARM calls upon the State Department to embrace statements of condemnation that reflect the truth regarding the Azerbaijani Government’s human rights violations targeting ethnic Armenians and to take immediate, decisive policy actions that affirm the U.S. Government’s commitment to lead globally on human rights issues. Specifically, Global ARM calls on the U.S. Government to:
- Implement Global Magnitsky sanctions against those responsible for human rights abuses in Azerbaijan.
- Repeal the Section 907 waiver, thereby reducing U.S. aid to Azerbaijan until substantial human rights improvements are made.
- Support the safe and dignified return of displaced Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) Armenians to their homes.
- Demand the immediate withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenian lands.
- Call for the immediate release of all Armenian detainees.
- Ensure unrestricted access for international inspections in Nagorno-Karabakh to prevent further human rights violations.
- Oppose Azerbaijan’s bid to host COP 29, citing the government’s poor human rights record as a disqualifying factor.
Global ARM remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for human rights and justice for all affected populations, and we expect the U.S. and its democratically aligned partners and allies to act promptly and effectively in upholding these principles.
Global ARM advocates for stronger U.S., EU and global ties with Armenia to reduce dependence on Russia while promoting its progress in democratic governance, economic diversification and integrated security frameworks. Global ARM has long called for sanctions against President Aliyev and his government to hold them accountable for their violent actions and blatant violations of international law. These are expected to gain widespread support from both the U.S. and EU.