Senator Markey Reflects Upon Two Years of Azerbaijani Military Action Against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh

Washington (September 17, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), released the following statement marking two years since Azerbaijan launched a military campaign in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Today marks two years since Azerbaijan launched its military campaign that resulted in the forced displacement of 150,000 Armenians from the territory of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and the unlawful detention of Armenian prisoners of war and political prisoners. Two years is far too long for families to wait in anguish while their loved ones languish in Azerbaijani detention in blatant violation of international humanitarian law and the 2020 ceasefire agreement. Even more alarming is the Azerbaijani government's decision to expel the International Committee of the Red Cross from detention facilities, cutting off independent oversight and raising serious concerns about the safety and treatment of prisoners.

"The United States and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan cannot allow these abuses to fade into the background of geopolitical petroleum or transit deals. Prime Minister Pashinyan must use every diplomatic tool to keep the plight of these prisoners at the center of negotiations and mobilize allies to broaden pressure on Azerbaijan to secure their release. I call on Secretary Rubio and the Trump administration to demand the immediate release of all Armenian prisoners from Azerbaijani custody and impose Global Magnitsky sanctions on Azerbaijani officials responsible for grave violations of human rights committed against Armenians in Artsakh. America's credibility on human rights and the rule of law depends on consistent action, especially now, two years later, when silence would only undermine a lasting peace agreement and embolden further aggression."

Senator Markey has long been a supporter of the Armenian diaspora in Massachusetts. In April 2024, Senator Markey joined his colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the Department of State to prioritize the release of Armenian political leaders currently being held illegally by Azerbaijan as prisoners, including as a condition of any peace deal reached by Armenia and Azerbaijan in the aftermath of Azerbaijan's military assault on Nagorno Karabakh in September 2023.

In February 2024, Senators Markey and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced a bipartisan resolution to require the Secretary of State to provide a report on Azerbaijan's human rights practices, including concerning allegations of human rights violations committed against ethnic Armenians, such as unlawful killings, torture, restrictions on freedom of movement, the illegal detention of political prisoners, and ethnic cleansing.

In September 2022, Senator Markey led a letter calling for the U.S. to cease any security assistance to Azerbaijan until Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a permanent resolution that would ensure peace and stability in Nagorno-Karabakh. In November 2020, Senator Markey, then-a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his concern about the Russian-brokered agreement signed between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia to end the fighting in Nagorno- Karabakh and surrounding areas. In October 2020, he urged then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to seek an immediate ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan while pushing for a negotiated resolution to the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

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