U.S. House Committee Calls for Immediate Release of Armenian Hostages Held by Azerbaijan
The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Armenian prisoners of war and political prisoners held by Azerbaijan.
Lawmakers approved the measure in a 44-7 vote as an amendment to H.R. 9086, the House Foreign Service Act, according to the Armenian National Committee of America.
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., a vice chair of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, introduced the amendment with support from committee Chairman Brian Mast, R-Fla.
“Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee voted 44-7 in favor of my amendment calling on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian POWs,” Sherman told the ANCA after the vote. “I am proud to have put Congress on the record and will continue fighting to free Armenians unjustly and illegally held, tortured, and abused by Azerbaijan.”
The amendment states that Azerbaijan should release all Armenian prisoners of war and political prisoners without conditions. Its adoption places the committee formally on record as the legislation moves forward in Congress.
The measure drew support from Democrats and Republicans, including Reps. Gregory Meeks of New York, Michael McCaul of Texas, Young Kim of California, Chris Smith of New Jersey, Ted Lieu of California and Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida.
Seven Republicans voted against the amendment: Andy Biggs of Arizona, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Randy Fine of Florida, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Keith Self of Texas and Joe Wilson of South Carolina.
Reps. Sarah McBride, D-Del., and Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., were absent.
The committee had previously considered the amendment during a June 10 markup. Sherman agreed at the time to remove language calling for enforcement of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act after discussions with Mast.
Mast then backed the revised measure and said he wanted to continue working with Sherman on related legislation.
Sherman urged the committee to act in response to documented abuse of Armenian captives, including the execution of prisoners of war.
“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,” he told lawmakers in June.
He also said the release of Armenian captives should be part of U.S. efforts to secure lasting peace in the South Caucasus.
“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.
Armenian officials and human rights groups have repeatedly called for international pressure on Azerbaijan over Armenians held following the 2020 war and Azerbaijan’s 2023 military takeover of Artsakh.
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