House Foreign Affairs Committee Calls for Azerbaijan to Release Armenian Hostages

The House Foreign Affairs Committee voted 44-7 on July 22 to approve an amendment calling on Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release all Armenian prisoners of war and political prisoners. The amendment, introduced by Congressional Armenian Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and backed by Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL), was attached to H.R. 9086, the House Foreign Service Act.

Sherman cited documented abuses in Azerbaijani custody, including executions of Armenian POWs recorded on social media and documented by Human Rights Watch. Seven Republicans voted against the measure, while two members were absent. The amendment represents a bipartisan effort to address hostage releases as part of broader regional diplomatic efforts in the South Caucasus.