Rep. Jim Costa pushing to sanction Azerbaijani Government Officials

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) cosponsored bipartisan bill H.R. 8141 - Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act of 2024, which seeks to enforce sanctions against Azerbaijani government officials responsible for human rights violations, including the detention of Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) and the ethnic cleansing taking place in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing against Armenians has long been overlooked by the international community. Over 120,000 Armenian refugees were forced to flee their homeland of Nagorno Karabakh,” said Costa. “Azerbaijan’s government has rejected calls for peace and weaponized basic needs like food and water. We must hold Azerbaijan’s government accountable and strip any U.S. military aid.”

BACKGROUND 
In late 2022, Azerbaijan launched a blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the only viable pathway connecting Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) to the outside world. The blockade prevented over 120,000 Armenians from receiving basic necessities like food, water and medical supplies. Months later, Azerbaijan launched an offensive attack and forcefully pushed them out of their homeland.

Costa continues to advocate for and stand with the Armenian community in the United States and abroad. As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Congressional Armenian Caucus, Costa has called for a bipartisan congressional delegation to Armenia with the purpose of educating Members of Congress on the conflict as well as reaffirm congressional support for peace in the region.

The Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act of 2024 would require the Biden Administration to report within 180 days of passage the applicability of sanctions on Azerbaijani officials responsible for human rights violations, based on the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and Section 7031 of the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Act.

The full text of the bill can be found HERE.