Members of the Milli Majlis, heads and representatives of a number of non-governmental organizations have addressed the Senators and Members of the House of Representatives of the US Congress with a letter.
elchi presents the text of the appeal:
Dear Senators and Members of the House of Representatives,
We, members of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and non-governmental organizations, are addressing you in response to your letter dated October 5, 2026, concerning Azerbaijan. We attach great importance to dialogue with the United States Congress and share the goal of ensuring lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. However, we believe that several provisions reflected in your letter do not take into account the important historical and legal context and risk complicating the progress achieved through the diplomatic efforts of the United States.
Azerbaijan has faced the consequences of conflict and the occupation of approximately 20 percent of its internationally recognized territories for over thirty years. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis have been killed, and over a million people have been displaced from Armenia and the previously occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The fate of 4,010 missing Azerbaijanis remains unknown. The Khojaly massacre, which claimed the lives of 613 civilians, as well as the destruction of villages and cities, religious sites, and examples of cultural heritage, are among the most painful pages of our national history. These realities must be taken into account in any assessment process of the conflict.
Mines and unexploded ordnance continue to endanger lives and hinder restoration efforts and the safe return of displaced families. According to Azerbaijan’s assessment, approximately 1.5 million mines are buried in about 13 percent of the country’s territory. Since 2020, more than 440 Azerbaijani citizens have been affected by mine and other ordnance explosions. In this regard, we call on Congress to pay continuous attention to humanitarian demining activities, as well as to determining the fate of missing persons, including obtaining information about possible burial sites and persons whose fate remains unknown.
Despite the existing challenges, President Ilham Aliyev has pursued a strategic line aimed at ensuring peace, normalizing relations, and regional economic integration. Azerbaijan has put forward the initiative to prepare a peace agreement and has submitted a draft agreement to the Armenian side. We acknowledge and highly appreciate the important role of President Donald Trump in advancing this process.
The Peace Summit held in Washington on August 8, 2025, was an important diplomatic milestone. The Joint Declaration signed with the witness of President Trump and the initialing of the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia have opened new opportunities for practical cooperation. Trade relations have been established, including the export of Azerbaijani oil products to Armenia. The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) also opens prospects for strengthening regional transport and communication links. All of this, at the same time, creates a favorable basis for further strengthening the strategic partnership between the US and Azerbaijan.
As members of the Milli Majlis and non-governmental organizations, we support this peace agenda and believe that Congress can play a constructive role in consolidating the achievements made.
Some individuals mentioned in your letter are presented as “political and military leaders.” These expressions do not reflect reality. These individuals held high positions in an illegal separatist entity created by Armenia in the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan and were prosecuted for serious crimes, including war crimes. The right to defense of the accused was ensured during the court proceedings, and evidence and witness testimonies were examined before the verdict was rendered. We share Congress’s commitment to the principle of fair judicial investigation. At the same time, we emphasize the importance of demonstrating respect for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and judicial institutions in line with the approach shown to other states.
Furthermore, we protest the presentation of approximately 241 km² of territory as allegedly Armenian territory under occupation by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia. The determination of the precise line along specific sections of the international border between the two countries is the subject of a bilateral delimitation and demarcation process. We believe that these issues should be resolved within the existing mechanisms, not based on unilateral assessments that predetermine the outcome.
Congress should also take into account the destruction and desecration of Azerbaijani mosques, cemeteries, shrines, and historical monuments in the previously occupied territories and in Armenia when taking a reliable and principled approach to the issue of cultural heritage. The protection of religious and cultural heritage must be based on a universal principle, and discrimination and selective approaches must be avoided.
We also call on Congress to consider the full repeal of Section 907 of the “Support for Freedom Act.” Section 907 no longer reflects the historical context, current geopolitical realities, and the current state of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations. Even in cases where its application is suspended, this provision remains an obstacle to realizing the full potential of our bilateral partnership. The repeal of the provision would be a significant message expressing Congress’s support for the regional peace process and the beginning of a new phase in US-Azerbaijan relations.
This is an opportunity for the bipartisan political leadership of the United States. Peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia should not become a subject of partisan debate in Washington. Instead, it should be valued as a diplomatic achievement that advances regional stability, economic opportunities, and US interests. It is precisely the bipartisan approach that has allowed US administrations to build decades-long partnerships with our country and benefit from Azerbaijan’s support for key policy priorities, including peacekeeping operations.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have declared their commitment to resolving issues of humanitarian, legal, political, and practical nature through direct bilateral dialogue. Foreign partners can best assist by supporting this process and promoting mutually acceptable solutions for both sides.
Our region has gone through great suffering and hardship, but now there is a real opportunity to build a different future. We invite you to cooperate in consolidating the progress achieved after the Washington Summit, strengthening Azerbaijan-US relations, and ensuring lasting peace in the South Caucasus.
Sincerely,
Members of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan:
- Mammadov Gaya
- Yildirim Fatma
- Valiyev Samir
- Rustamkhanli Tanzila
- Rahimzade Vugar
- Oruj Zahid
- Nurullayev Razi
- Masimli Ali
- Mammadov Elman
- Maharramov Bahruz
- Musayev Elshan
- Mustafa Fazil
- Musabayov Rasim
- Musayev Elshad
- Mollazade Asim
- Mirzazade Aydın
- Mirzabeyli Elchin
- Mahmudov Rashad
- Gurbanov Sadiq
- Gurbanov Eyvaz
- Gurbanli Mubariz
- Gafarov Vasif
- Hasanquliyev Gudrat
- Hamzayev Naqif
- Aliyeva Jale
- Ali-Zade Arzuxan
- Jafarova Tamam
- Valiyeva Mehriban
- Khasayeva Sabina
- Hajiyev Sabir
Members of Non-Governmental Organizations:
- Ramil Iskandarli – Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National Forum of NGOs
- Amir Aliyev – Chairman of the Public Union “Center for the Promotion of Human Rights”
- Alimammad Nuriyev – Head of the “Constitution” Research Fund
- Zaur Mammadov – Chairman of the Baku Club of Political Scientists
- Rey Gasimov – Chairman of the Public Union “Association of Mine Victims in Azerbaijan”
- Hafiz Safikhanov – Chairman of the Public Union “Association of Victims of Mines in Azerbaijan”
- Zaur Ibrahimli – Chairman of the Public Union “Priority” Center for Social Economic Research
- Konul Behbudova – Chairman of the Public Union “Karabakh Families of the Missing”
- Ayaz Mirzayev – Chairman of the Public Union “Azerbaijan Network of Journalists”
- Umud Rahimoglu – Chairman of the International Eurasia Press Fund
- Sevinj Alizade – Chairman of the Public Union “Victory” Support for Families of Martyrs