The Armenian lobby in the U.S. Congress has once again introduced a provocative initiative. Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA), of Armenian descent, in collaboration with Christopher Smith, known for his ties to the Armenian lobby, has drafted a resolution condemning Azerbaijan for allegedly conducting an ethnic cleansing campaign against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. This move is part of a series of similar initiatives on Capitol Hill. Notably, on the same day Eshoo and Smith presented their initiative, several human rights groups released a report reiterating Armenian propaganda claims, suggesting coordinated efforts from a single center.
It is worth recalling that neither the U.S. House of Representatives, organizations like Freedom House, nor the Soros Foundation have commented on the actual ethnic cleansing carried out by Armenia over the past 30 years, first on its territory and then on occupied Azerbaijani lands, which resulted in nearly a million Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced persons. They have also remained silent on the Khojaly genocide and massacres in Garadaghly, Bashlibel, Baganis-Ayrum, Balligaya, Tuga, as well as the missile strikes on civilian areas in Ganja, Barda, and Tartar by Armenian occupiers during the 44-day war. Neither have the congressmen or human rights activists spoken about Armenian urbicide and mine terrorism. Yet now they raise an outcry over the claim that “there are no Armenians left in Karabakh” and threaten Azerbaijan on behalf of the International Criminal Court.
The authors of this resolution might believe they are harming Azerbaijan. However, this document significantly damages the U.S.’s image as it appears as another biased, politically motivated, and double-standard example, understandably outraging the Azerbaijani public.
There are indisputable facts. The Armenians of Karabakh left voluntarily in the fall of 2023, without any pressure from Azerbaijan. This was confirmed by the departing Armenians and even the Armenian Prime Minister. Recordings of UN Security Council special sessions reveal that Armenian lies were debunked, including by statements from Armenian leaders themselves. Karabakh separatists confirmed they did not wish to live under Azerbaijani jurisdiction. Moreover, Azerbaijan repeatedly stated its readiness to grant citizenship and full rights to Karabakh Armenians, but they refused to live under Azerbaijani rule. This is not ethnic cleansing; it is voluntary departure. To see what ethnic cleansing and deportation look like, one should consider the fate of Azerbaijanis from historical Western Azerbaijan—now Armenia. These people still cannot return to their homes in Geicha, Daralagyaz, Zangezur, Yerevan.
It is clear that the congressmen are fulfilling a pre-election political order. With U.S. elections approaching in November, it’s time to garner the ethnic Armenian vote. However, this is no excuse to ignore real politics. Azerbaijan liberated its territories, restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty at the cost of its soldiers’ lives. Civilian populations were never targeted by Azerbaijani forces, which used precision weapons solely against Armenian military targets and infrastructure. These are incontrovertible facts confirmed by international organizations.
What are the American congressmen aiming to achieve? Do they really think Azerbaijan will hand over part of its territory to create another Armenian state? It is unnecessary to remind that no documents produced on Capitol Hill will force our country to share its sovereignty and territories. There will be no territorial gifts, especially not due to the whims of American congressmen, who should better consider their own country’s prestige.
