Members of the Milli Majlis, heads and representatives of a number of non-governmental organizations have sent a letter to the Senators and members of the House of Representatives of the US Congress.
Modern.az 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, appeal to you in response to your letter dated October 5, 2026, regarding 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 a number of provisions reflected in your letter do not take into account important historical and legal context and risk hindering the progress achieved as a result of US diplomatic efforts.
For more than thirty years, Azerbaijan has faced the consequences of conflict and the occupation of approximately 20 percent of its internationally recognized territories. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis have been killed, and more than one million people have been displaced from Armenia and the previously occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The fate of 4010 missing Azerbaijanis is still unknown. The Khojaly massacre, in which 613 civilians died, as well as the destruction of villages and cities, religious sites and cultural heritage samples, 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 human lives, as well as hinder reconstruction efforts and the safe return of displaced families. According to Azerbaijan's assessment, approximately 1.5 million mines have been laid in approximately 13 percent of the country's territory. Since 2020, more than 440 Azerbaijani citizens have been injured as a result of mine and other ordnance explosions. In this regard, we call on Congress to pay continuous attention to humanitarian demining activities, as well as to the necessity of determining the fate of missing persons, including obtaining information about possible burial sites and persons whose fate remains unknown.
Despite the existing difficulties, 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 submitted the draft agreement to the Armenian side. We recognize 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 testimony 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” 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) opens prospects for strengthening regional transport and communication links. All this, at the same time, creates a favorable ground for further strengthening of the US-Azerbaijan strategic partnership.
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.
Some individuals held in your letter are presented as “political and military leaders”. These expressions do not reflect reality. These individuals held high positions in the illegal separatist entity created by Armenia in the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan and were prosecuted for serious crimes, including war crimes. In the court proceedings, the right to defense of the accused was ensured, and before the verdict was issued, evidence and witness testimonies were examined. We share the importance Congress attaches to the principle of fair trial. At the same time, we emphasize the importance of demonstrating respect for the sovereignty and judicial institutions of Azerbaijan in accordance with the approach shown to other states.
In addition, we object to the presentation of approximately 241 km² of territory as Armenian territory allegedly occupied by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia. The determination of the exact line along separate parts of the international border between the two countries is the subject of the bilateral delimitation and demarcation process. We believe that these issues should be resolved within the framework of existing mechanisms, not on the basis of unilateral assessments that predetermine the outcome.
Congress should also consider the destruction and desecration of Azerbaijani mosques, cemeteries, shrines and historical monuments in previously occupied territories and in Armenia when adopting a reliable and principled approach to cultural heritage issues. The protection of religious and cultural heritage must be based on a universal principle, and discrimination and selective approaches must not be allowed.
We also call on Congress to consider the full repeal of Section 907 of the “Freedom Support Act”. Section 907 no longer reflects the historical circumstances, existing geopolitical realities, and the current state of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations. Even when its application has been suspended, this section remains an obstacle to realizing the full potential of our bilateral partnership. The repeal of the section would be a significant message expressing Congress's support for the regional peace process and the beginning of a new stage 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 inter-party dispute in Washington. On the contrary, it should be seen 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 a decades-long partnership with our country, benefiting from Azerbaijan's support for your country's key policy priorities, including peacekeeping operations.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have declared their commitment to resolving issues awaiting humanitarian, legal, political and practical solutions 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:
1. Mammadov Gaya
2. Yildirim Fatma
3. Valiyev Samir
4. Rustamkhanli Tanzila
5. Rahimzade Vugar
6. Oruj Zahid
7. Nurullayev Razi
8. Masimli Ali
9. Mammadov Elman
10. Maharramov Bahruz
11. Musayev Elshan
12. Mustafa Fazil
13. Musabayov Rasim
14. Musayev Elshad
15. Mollazade Asim
16. Mirzazade Aydin
17. Mirzabeyli Elchin
18. Mahmudov Rashad
19. Gurbanov Sadiq
20. Gurbanov Eyvaz
21. Gurbanli Mubariz
22. Gafarov Vasif
23. Hasanguliyev Gudrat
24. Hamzayev Nagif
25. Aliyeva Jala
26. Ali-Zade Arzuhan
27. Jafarova Tamam
28. Valiyeva Mehriban
29. Khasayeva Sabina
30. Hajiyev Sabir
Members of non-governmental organizations:
1. Ramil Iskandarli – Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum
2. Amir Aliyev – Chairman of the Public Union “Center for the Promotion of Human Rights”
3. Alimammad Nuriyev – Head of the “Constitution” Research Foundation
4. Zaur Mammadov – Chairman of the Baku Club of Political Scientists
5. Rey Gasimov – Chairman of the Public Union “Association of Mine Victims in Azerbaijan”
6. Hafiz Safikhanov – Chairman of the Public Union “Association of Mine Victims in Azerbaijan”
7. Zaur Ibrahimli – Chairman of the Public Union “Priority” Social Economic Research Center
8. Konul Behbudova – Chairman of the Public Union “Karabakh Missing Families”
9. Ayaz Mirzayev – Chairman of the Public Union “Azerbaijan Journalists Network”
10. Umud Rahimoğlu – Chairman of the International Eurasia Press Fund
11. Sevinj Alizade – Chairman of the Public Union “Zafar” Support for Families of Martyrs
