Members of Congress Join Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance

The Armenian Genocide Memorial successful Yerevan. Public Domain

In a almighty show of bipartisan solidarity, much than 25 Members of Congress joined Armenian American leaders and quality rights advocates yesterday, Wednesday, April 15, for the yearly Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance.

The day’s events transitioned from a solemn remembrance of the 1915 Medz Yeghern to a forceful request for accountability regarding the genocidal run that stretched from 1915 to the 2023 taste cleansing of Artsakh.

Armenian Genocide: A telephone for justness successful Congress

The time began with an incisive Congressional briefing titled “Peace Without Justice successful the South Caucasus.” Experts challenged the existent trajectory of the Armenia-Azerbaijan bid process, specifically questioning the August 2025 draught statement initialed astatine the White House.

While the medication has framed the statement arsenic a diplomatic milestone, speakers—including planetary quality rights lawyer Karnig Kerkonian, Esq. and retired State Department authoritative Dr. Robert Krikorian—warned that a “peace” that ignores the 150,000 forcibly displaced Artsakh refugees and the continued detention of Armenian hostages is simply a “peace” built connected a hollow foundation.

“Remembrance is simply a motivation imperative, but it indispensable beryllium the servant of justice,” stated ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “Yesterday, we reaffirmed that lasting information successful the portion requires the merchandise of each Armenian prisoners, the close of instrumentality for Artsakh’s people, and the extortion of our desecrated Christian heritage.”

The commemoration: From 1915 to 2023

The evening program, held successful the Rayburn House Office Building, marked a 61-year contented of Congressional observances. This year’s theme, “From Remembrance to Responsibility,” drew a nonstop enactment from the Ottoman Turkish Genocide of 1915 to the modern struggles of the Armenian nation.

Members of the Congressional Armenian Caucus stood alongside advocates to item the ongoing crisis. They addressed the “TRIPP” Corridor—the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity”—a connection that would assistance a U.S. consortium exclusive rights implicit a transport corridor connecting Azerbaijan to Turkey done Armenian land. Lawmakers and experts warned that specified arrangements indispensable not travel astatine the disbursal of Armenian sovereignty.

Legislative momentum successful Congress: The way forward

The observance catalyzed 3 captious pieces of bipartisan authorities presently moving done the House:

• The Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act of 2025 (H.R.5369): Led by Reps. Dina Titus and Gus Bilirakis, this enactment directs the medication to reappraisal Global Magnitsky sanctions for Azerbaijani officials liable for warfare crimes and the amerciable detention of Armenian hostages.
• The ARMENIA Security Partnership Act (H.R.6840): Led by Reps. Gus Bilirakis and Frank Pallone, this measure would prohibit the waiver of Section 907, efficaciously halting U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan until the Aliyev authorities takes verifiable steps toward a lasting, conscionable peace.
• The Armenian Genocide Education Act (H.R.2585): A bipartisan effort to instrumentality a nationwide Library of Congress acquisition programme regarding the 1915–1923 Genocide committed against Armenians and different Christian minorities.

As the 119th Congress moves forward, the connection from yesterday’s events was clear: the Armenian-American assemblage and its allies volition not judge a diplomatic “breakthrough” that ignores the cardinal rights of the Armenian people.

Related: JD Vance Deletes Post connected the Armenian Genocide Not to Upset Turkey