A U.S. congressman argued Wednesday that the Biden administration must take action to quell what he described as a genocide against Armenian Christians.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) chaired an emergency committee meeting Wednesday to discuss the ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Armenia, where an estimated 120,000 Christians live, many of whom have been left to starve as a result. The blockade was established by Azerbaijan in December of 2022 amid a regional dispute with Armenia.
“This crime — it is the crime of genocide — was planned, tested, and imposed by the government of Azerbaijan, that is to say by President Ilham Aliyev, who rules Azerbaijan as a dictator,” Smith said at the hearing on Wednesday.
The United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called on Azerbaijan in August to “uphold its international obligations to respect and protect human rights” and end the “dire humanitarian crisis.”
“The blockade of the Lachin corridor is a humanitarian emergency that has created severe shortages of essential food staples including sunflower oil, fish, chicken, dairy products, cereal, sugar and baby formula,” the OHCHR said.
Rep. Smith, who co-chairs the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, called on President Biden to take action to prevent mass starvation in the region.
“The Biden administration must wake up, recognize the absolutely grave responsibility it has here, and focus on finding and implementing a humane solution,” Smith said. “And this must mean that the blockade is lifted and the people can continue to live in their ancient homeland — and not be subject to violence and threats. This situation is now a three-alarm fire.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Azerbaijan’s president in July. Blinken’s office said he made clear his concern with the blockade and its impact on the Armenian people.
“Secretary Blinken underscored the urgent need for free transit of commercial, humanitarian, and private vehicles through the Lachin corridor, and emphasized the need for compromise on alternative routes so humanitarian supplies can reach the population of Nagorno-Karabakh,” spokesman Matthew Miller said. “The Secretary stressed the need for all parties to keep up positive momentum on peace negotiations.”
In February, the International Association of Genocide Scholars called for the blockade to be lifted, warning of the “risk of genocide against the Armenian population.”
Smith pleaded Wednesday for federal action to be taken as starvation continues in the region.
“The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is much more desperate now, and two-and-a-half more months of inaction raises the question whether there is, within our own government, any will to help,” he said.