Bill Summary
This resolution is calling on Azerbaijan to release all prisoners of war and captured civilians immediately. It highlights the military assault launched by Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2020 and the subsequent tripartite statement signed by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia to end the conflict. The resolution references the Third Geneva Convention and customary international law which require the release of prisoners of war and captured civilians upon the cessation of hostilities. It also mentions reports of mistreatment of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani military forces. The resolution expresses concern about the condition and treatment of prisoners, particularly female detainees, and questions Azerbaijan's commitment to human rights and a lasting peace settlement. It urges the Secretary of State to engage with Azerbaijani authorities to ensure the release of all prisoners of war and captured civilians.
Possible Impacts
1. The resolution puts pressure on the government of Azerbaijan to release all prisoners of war and captured civilians, potentially affecting the lives of those detained and their families who have been waiting for their release.
2. The resolution highlights the mistreatment of ethnic Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani military forces, bringing attention to human rights violations and potentially leading to repercussions for those responsible.
3. The resolution calls for engagement from the United States government to urge Azerbaijani authorities to adhere to their obligations under international law and release all prisoners of war, potentially affecting diplomatic relations between the two countries.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 240 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 240
Calling on Azerbaijan to immediately release all prisoners of war and
captured civilians.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 16, 2021
Mr. Schiff (for himself, Mr. Pallone, Ms. Speier, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr.
Valadao, Ms. Titus, Mr. Costa, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Cicilline, Mrs.
Napolitano, Ms. Chu, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Beyer, Ms. Scanlon, Mr.
Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Langevin, Mr. McGovern, Ms. Porter, Ms. Clark of
Massachusetts, Ms. Spanberger, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Sires, Mr. Levin of
Michigan, Mr. Lieu, Mr. Lowenthal, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Auchincloss, Mr.
Nunes, Ms. Omar, Ms. Sanchez, and Mr. Suozzi) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Calling on Azerbaijan to immediately release all prisoners of war and
captured civilians.
Whereas, on September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan, with support from Turkey and foreign
militia groups, launched a military assault on Nagorno-Karabakh, also
known as Artsakh, resulting in the deaths of thousands and displacing
tens of thousands of ethnic Armenian residents;
Whereas, on November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia signed a
tripartite statement to end the conflict;
Whereas in signing the November 9 statement, all parties agreed that the
``exchange of prisoners of war, hostages and other detainees as well as
the remains of the fatalities shall be carried out'';
Whereas the Third Geneva Convention, of which Azerbaijan is a signatory, and
customary international law require the release of prisoners of war and
captured civilians upon the cessation of hostilities and require that
all detainees be treated humanely;
Whereas, despite Azerbaijan's obligations under the Geneva Conventions and their
commitments in signing the November 9 statement, more than 100 days
after the end of the conflict, the Government of Azerbaijan continues to
detain an estimated 200 Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and
detained persons, misrepresenting their status in an attempt to justify
their continued captivity;
Whereas Human Rights Watch reported in December 2020 that Azerbaijani military
forces had mistreated ethnic Armenian prisoners of war and subjected
them to ``physical abuse and humiliation'';
Whereas Columbia University's Institute for the Study of Human Rights issued a
report on the conflict that ``document[s] crimes against humanity and
other atrocities committed by Azerbaijani armed forces and Turkish-
backed Islamist fighters against Armenians'', including beheadings,
summary executions, and the desecration of human remains;
Whereas there is limited reliable information about the condition or treatment
of prisoners of war and captured civilians, and there is significant
concern that female detainees in particular could be subject to sexual
assaults and other mistreatment;
Whereas Azerbaijan's continued detainment of prisoners of war and captured
civilians calls into serious question their commitment to human rights
and negotiating an equitable, lasting peace settlement;
Whereas Armenia has fulfilled its obligations under the November 9 statement and
international law by returning Azerbaijani prisoners of war; and
Whereas the United States, along with France and Russia, is a co-chair of the
OSCE Minsk Group which was created to seek a durable and peaceful
solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) calls upon Azerbaijan to immediately return all
Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians; and
(2) urges the Secretary of State to engage at all levels
with Azerbaijani authorities, including through the OSCE Minsk
Group process, to make clear the importance of adhering to
their obligations, under the November 9 statement and
international law, to immediately release all prisoners of war
and captured civilians.
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