Rep. Adam Schiff speaks at a protest in Washington demanding the immediate lifting of Azerbaijan's blockade of Artsakh in February
Representative Adam Schiff on Monday issued a statement in support of the people of Artsakh and urged the Biden Administration “to take action to protect the people of Artsakh and their right to self-determination.”
For decades, Schiff has been a vocal advocate of the rights of the people of Artsakh and in April introduced a resolution calling for the recognition of Artsakh’s self-determination and independence.
Below is the text of Schiff’s statement.
From the day the blockade of the Lachin Corridor began, I, alongside my colleagues in Congress and Armenians around the country, have urged the White House, the State Department, and USAID, to take action to protect the people of Artsakh and their right to self-determination.
With Azerbaijan’s refusal to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to deliver lifesaving humanitarian aid in, and transport patients requiring urgent medical attention out of Artsakh, the need for the international community to take action and find a lasting solution to the conflict grows with each passing day. I’ve persistently called for Azerbaijan to lift the blockade and allow humanitarian aid to move freely via the Lachin Corridor, and I have urged President Biden to take immediate action to address the dire situation in Artsakh.
From condemning ceasefire violations, advocating for the release of Armenian prisoners of war, to calling for sanctions and accountability for Azerbaijan, I’ve always been steadfast in my commitment to ensuring the protection of fundamental rights for the people of Artsakh.
As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I’ve also advocated for international action to end this crisis peacefully. If we truly stand for democracy and human rights, we must recognize the independence of the Republic of Artsakh and oppose the ethnic cleansing and threats of genocide faced by the Armenian community in their ancestral homeland.
By using all tools at our disposal, including pushing for U.S. humanitarian aid to Artsakh, cutting off military and other assistance to Azerbaijan, and imposing sanctions on those responsible for this crisis, we can ensure Artsakh’s safety now and in the future.
I will be with you every step of the way and will always stand with the people of Armenia and Artsakh.