“Responsibility 2025”: event dedicated to the right of Artsakh Armenians

In September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack along the entire border of besieged Artsakh. The one-day war was followed by the forced displacement of Artsakh’s Armenians. The Armenian National Committee of America organized the “Accountability 2025” event on the second anniversary of the tragic events, which was attended by members of the US Congress, international lawyers, and community leaders.

The event was also attended by Siranush Sahakyan, head of the Center for International and Comparative Law. She presented in detail the legal obligations already recognized by international courts, which Azerbaijan continues to ignore.

“Those people whose rights are at risk are left outside. Cultural heritage is being destroyed, homes are being looted, at least 23 Armenians continue to be held captive,” said the human rights defender.

Sahakyan emphasized that the importance of today’s event should not only be about remembrance, but also about responsibility and the role of the government of the United States.

“We must reaffirm the right of safe, dignified, and voluntary return of Artsakh Armenians as U.S. policy, and call for mechanisms that meet the standards of regional human rights courts, including independent international bodies, to monitor the process of the right of return. The right of return should not remain a mere slogan. We view this right as an important test for the international order, which, we insist, must be protected,” said Sahakyan.

Among the speakers, Congressman Frank Pallone, chairman of the Armenian Caucus, recalled the unfulfilled promises made by Baku and Ankara and called on the United States government to pursue a policy based on accountability. Another congressman, Brad Sherman, called on his colleagues to stop the practice of waiving the restrictions on military assistance set forth in Section 907. “Enough is enough,” Sherman declared, adding, “it is time to stop providing any military assistance to Azerbaijan.”

Congresswoman-elect Laura Friedman, who represents one of the largest Armenian-American constituencies in the country, spoke about the right to self-determination, which lies at the heart of the Artsakh struggle. “The people of Artsakh, who are indisputably the indigenous people of that region, had an absolute right to follow the American example of self-government,” she said. “That is what Azerbaijan has taken away. Peace is not peace without justice.”

Congressman Vince Fong emphasized: “Congress must continue to demand the release of prisoners of war, support the sovereignty of Armenia, and protect the safe return of displaced families from Artsakh.” And Congresswoman Judy Chu, who visited Artsakh before the Armenian exodus, recalled her trip.

 “It was so beautiful, so alive, and the Armenian people were clearly thriving. Of course, when I returned, Baku officially forbade me from ever entering Azerbaijani territory, but of course, I consider it a badge of honor. It only strengthens my determination to protect the Armenian people.”

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hambaryan concluded the evening by emphasizing that normalizing the genocide incites violence. Hambaryan also introduced the 2025 Sanctions Review Bill against Azerbaijan in the US House of Representatives and the Senate letter demanding the release of Armenian hostages.