To prevent ethnic cleansing and atrocities against ethnic Armenians, promote accountability for the same, protect and provide humanitarian assistance to Armenians in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh impacted by actions taken by the Government of Azerbaijan, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · September 22, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill addresses the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh and the humanitarian crisis affecting ethnic Armenians in the region. It condemns Azerbaijan's military operations, blockade of the Lachin Corridor that cut off humanitarian aid, and alleged atrocities, finding that Azerbaijan's actions constitute ethnic cleansing and potentially genocide. The legislation authorizes $30 million in humanitarian assistance to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh for fiscal year 2024 and $12 million in military financing to Armenia to support its sovereignty and defense capabilities. It requires the State Department to develop a strategy protecting Nagorno-Karabakh residents' rights within peace negotiations, submit a report on alleged war crimes and atrocities within 90 days, and enhance documentation of human rights violations for potential prosecution. The bill also directs the President to impose sanctions on Azerbaijani government officials, including the President and defense ministers, and calls on the U.S. to support referral of the situation to the International Criminal Court for investigation of genocide allegations. Additionally, it repeals the Cold War-era restriction on assistance to Azerbaijan.
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