BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 10. Members of the
Azerbaijani Parliament and representatives of several
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have sent a letter to US
senators and members of the House of Representatives. A copy of the
letter was also sent to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The full text of the appeal reads:
Dear Senators and Members of the House of Representatives,
We, members of the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan and
representatives of non-governmental organizations, are writing in
response to your letter concerning Azerbaijan dated October 5,
2026. We attach great importance to dialogue with the US Congress
and share the goal of securing lasting peace between Azerbaijan and
Armenia. However, we believe that several points in your letter
overlook important historical and legal context and risk
undermining the progress achieved through US diplomatic
efforts.
For more than three decades, Azerbaijan has faced the
consequences of conflict and the occupation of approximately 20
percent of its internationally recognized territory. More than
20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed, and over one million people were
displaced from Armenia and Azerbaijan's formerly occupied
territories. The fate of 4,010 missing Azerbaijanis remains
unknown. The Khojaly massacre, in which 613 civilians were killed,
as well as the destruction of towns and villages, religious sites
and cultural heritage, remain among the most painful chapters in
our national history. These realities must be taken into account in
any assessment of the conflict.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance continue to threaten lives,
hinder reconstruction and prevent the safe return of displaced
families. According to Azerbaijan's estimates, approximately 1.5
million landmines have been planted across nearly 13 percent of the
country's territory. Since 2020, more than 440 Azerbaijani citizens
have been affected by explosions involving mines and other
ordnance. In this regard, we urge Congress to maintain its focus on
humanitarian demining and on determining the fate of missing
persons, including the need to obtain information about possible
burial sites and people whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Despite these challenges, President Ilham Aliyev has pursued a
strategic course focused on achieving peace, normalizing relations
and promoting regional economic integration. Azerbaijan initiated
the process of drafting a peace agreement and submitted a draft to
the Armenian side. We recognize and highly appreciate the important
role played by President Donald Trump in advancing this
process.
The Peace Summit held in Washington on August 8, 2025, marked an
important diplomatic milestone. The Joint Declaration signed in the
presence of President Trump and the initialing of the Agreement on
Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the
Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia opened up new
opportunities for practical cooperation. Trade ties have been
established, including Azerbaijani petroleum product exports to
Armenia. The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity
(TRIPP) also offers prospects for strengthening regional transport
and communications links. These developments, in turn, create
favorable conditions for further strengthening the strategic
partnership between Azerbaijan and the United States.
As members of the Azerbaijani Parliament and representatives of
non-governmental organizations, we support this peace agenda and
believe that Congress can play a constructive role in consolidating
the progress achieved.
Your letter refers to certain detained individuals as “political
and military leaders.” This characterization does not reflect
reality. These individuals held senior positions in an illegal
separatist entity established by Armenia on Azerbaijan's sovereign
territory and were tried for serious crimes, including war crimes.
During the trials, the defendants' right to a defense was ensured,
and evidence and witness testimony were examined before the
verdicts were delivered. We share Congress's commitment to the
principle of a fair trial. At the same time, we emphasize the
importance of demonstrating respect for Azerbaijan's sovereignty
and judicial institutions in the same manner as for those of other
states.
We also object to the portrayal of approximately 241 square
kilometers of territory as Armenian land allegedly under
Azerbaijani occupation. Azerbaijan recognizes Armenia's sovereignty
and territorial integrity. The precise alignment of individual
sections of the international border between the two countries is a
matter for the bilateral delimitation and demarcation process. We
believe these issues should be resolved through existing mechanisms
rather than through unilateral assessments that prejudge the
outcome.
In taking a credible and principled approach to cultural
heritage, Congress should also consider the destruction and
desecration of Azerbaijani mosques, cemeteries, shrines and
historical monuments in formerly occupied territories and in
Armenia. The protection of religious and cultural heritage must be
based on universal principles, without discrimination or selective
treatment.
We also urge Congress to consider the full repeal of Section 907
of the Freedom Support Act. Section 907 no longer reflects
historical circumstances, current geopolitical realities or the
present state of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations. Even when its
application is suspended, the provision remains an obstacle to
realizing the full potential of our bilateral partnership. Its
repeal would send an important message of congressional support for
the regional peace process and the beginning of a new chapter 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 dispute in Washington. Instead, it
should be recognized as a diplomatic achievement that advances
regional stability, economic opportunities and US interests. A
bipartisan approach has enabled successive US administrations to
build a partnership with our country over decades and benefit from
Azerbaijan's support for key US policy priorities, including
peacekeeping operations.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have declared their commitment to
resolving outstanding humanitarian, legal, political and practical
issues through direct bilateral dialogue. International partners
can best contribute by supporting this process and encouraging
solutions acceptable to both sides.
Our region has endured great suffering, but a genuine
opportunity has now emerged to build a different future. We invite
you to work with us to consolidate the progress achieved since the
Washington Summit, strengthen Azerbaijan-US relations and secure
lasting peace in the South Caucasus.
Respectfully,
Members of the Parliament of the Republic of
Azerbaijan:
Gaya Mammadov
Fatma Yildirim
Samir Valiyev
Tanzila Rustamkhanli
Vugar Rahimzade
Zahid Oruj
Razi Nurullayev
Ali Masimli
Elman Mammadov
Bahruz Maharramov
Elshan Musayev
Fazil Mustafa
Rasim Musabeyov
Elshad Musayev
Asim Mollazade
Aydin Mirzazade
Elchin Mirzabayli
Rashad Mahmudov
Sadiq Gurbanov
Eyvaz Gurbanov
Mubariz Gurbanli
Vasif Gafarov
Gudrat Hasanguliyev
Nagif Hamzayev
Jala Aliyeva
Arzukhаn Alizade
Tamam Jafarova
Mehriban Valiyeva
Sabina Khasayeva
Sabir Hajiyev
Representatives of non-governmental
organizations:
Ramil Iskandarli – Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan
National NGO Forum
Amir Aliyev – Chairman of the Public Association “Center for the
Promotion of Human Rights”
Alimammad Nuriyev – Head of the “Constitution” Research
Foundation
Zaur Mammadov – Chairman of the Baku Club of Political
Scientists
Rey Gasimov – Chairman of the Public Association “Association of
Mine Victims in Azerbaijan”
Hafiz Safikhanov – Chairman of the Public Association
“Association of Mine Victims in Azerbaijan”
Zaur Ibrahimli – Chairman of the Public Association “Priority”
Center for Social and Economic Research
Konul Behbudova – Chairwoman of the Public Association “Karabakh
Families of Missing Persons”
Ayaz Mirzayev – Chairman of the Public Association “Azerbaijani
Journalists Network”
Umud Rahimoglu – Chairman of the International Eurasia Press
Fund
Sevinj Alizade – Chairwoman of the Public Association “Zafar”
for Support to Martyrs' Families
