Rep. Chu on Escalation of Violence in Nagorno-Karabakh

Statement

Over the weekend, fighting broke out between Armenians and Azerbaijani troops along the border of Nagorno-Karabakh. Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian area within Azerbaijan, has been self-governed since 1994, when a ceasefire put a halt to a six-year war that started following a declaration of independence there. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) released the following statement:

"Since first speaking out for their right of self-determination in 1988, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh have been alternately besieged and attacked by Azerbaijan. Sadly, over the years, Azerbaijan has resisted efforts to de-escalate the conflict, and this weekend, it turned lethal. The loss of innocent civilian life, particularly reports of a 12-year-old killed in the Marduni region, is heartbreaking, and I hope a settlement can be reached quickly before more lives are lost. I have called on the President to work with both sides in deescalating this conflict, and to suspend aid to Azerbaijan if they continue in their aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. Violence in response to a peaceful independence movement is unacceptable. I condemn this action and stand with the Armenian people in their calls for actionable steps that will promote and ensure peace."

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