U.S. House Committee Backs Amendment Calling for Release of Armenian Prisoners Held by Azerbaijan

A bipartisan initiative in the U.S. House of Representatives is gaining momentum in support of Armenian prisoners held by Azerbaijan, as lawmakers advance an amendment calling for their immediate and unconditional release.

The amendment, introduced by Congressional Armenian Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Brad Sherman of California, was approved during a markup session of the House Foreign Affairs Committee as part of legislation to update the U.S. Foreign Service Act. The measure received backing from committee chairman Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, signaling rare bipartisan agreement on an issue that has become a growing source of international concern.

The amendment states that it is the sense of Congress that Azerbaijan should immediately and unconditionally release all Armenian prisoners of war and political detainees currently in its custody.

Speaking before the committee, Sherman pointed to documented cases of abuse against Armenian captives and cited evidence reviewed by Human Rights Watch, including videos that allegedly show the execution of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani forces.

“Given documented executions of Armenian POWs by Azerbaijani forces, including several executions which were horrifically recorded and distributed on social media, as documented by Human Rights Watch, it is vital that the United States clearly advocate for the immediate and unconditional release of all Armenian POWs,” Sherman told lawmakers.

The California congressman also linked the issue to broader efforts to secure stability in the South Caucasus, arguing that the release of Armenian detainees would represent an important confidence-building measure during ongoing peace initiatives in the region.

“As President Trump continues his efforts to secure lasting peace in the South Caucasus, securing the release of Armenian POWs and political prisoners would be a significant step toward this achievement,” Sherman said.

The amendment originally included language calling on the United States to use all available diplomatic, economic and legal tools—including enforcement of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act—to pressure Azerbaijan. However, after discussions with committee leadership, Sherman agreed to remove the Section 907 provision in order to secure broader bipartisan support.

Chairman Mast voiced support for the prisoner-release language while expressing reservations about the sanctions-related component. Following the revision, he formally endorsed the amendment.

“I would love to work with you further on this amendment and possibly dividing it up and working on this in additional ways,” Mast said during the committee proceedings.

The measure is now expected to move to a full committee roll-call vote. If approved, it will advance to consideration by the full House of Representatives.

Sherman noted that the initiative reflects increasing international concern over the fate of Armenian detainees. He pointed to a European Parliament resolution adopted earlier this year that condemned Azerbaijan’s continued detention of Armenian prisoners and called for their release.

The congressional initiative comes during ongoing international concern over the fate of Armenian detainees held by Azerbaijan. 19 Armenians are currently being held in Azerbaijani prisons, including former Artsakh officials, civilians, and prisoners captured during and after the conflict over Artsakh. International organizations and lawmakers have repeatedly called for their release, arguing that the continued detentions undermine efforts to achieve lasting peace in the South Caucasus.