ANCA backs bipartisan US bill to hold Azerbaijan accountable

(Horizon Weekly) – The Armenian National Committee of America has announced its support for the ARMENIA Security Partnership Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at holding Azerbaijan accountable for continued aggression against Armenia and violations of international law.

Introduced by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co Chairs Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Frank Pallone, the legislation would bar the US president from waiving Section 907 restrictions on aid to Azerbaijan unless Baku meets specific benchmarks. These include the release of Armenian prisoners, the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from sovereign Armenian territory, an end to hostilities, and the protection of Armenian cultural and religious heritage.

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian said the bill establishes clear conditions for peace and rejects policies that reward Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and ongoing abuses. He stressed that US policy must shift from enabling impunity to enforcing accountability.

Lawmakers backing the bill emphasized Armenia’s strategic importance and the need for US leadership grounded in human rights and respect for sovereignty. The legislation would also require the Pentagon to assess Armenia’s defense needs if Azerbaijan fails to meet the certification requirements, while reinforcing limits on US military assistance to Baku.

The bill comes amid renewed efforts by pro Azerbaijan advocates to repeal Section 907 restrictions. ANCA has sharply opposed those efforts, warning that lifting conditions on US aid would reward continued aggression, hostage taking, and cultural destruction.

The ARMENIA Security Partnership Act marks a significant step toward aligning US policy with justice, international law, and lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

The text of the bill is available at: https://anca.org/assets/pdf/121825_ArmeniaSecurityPartnershipAct_Text.pdf