In a powerful display of bipartisan solidarity, more than 25 Members of Congress joined Armenian American leaders and human rights advocates yesterday, Wednesday, April 15, for the annual Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance.
The day’s events transitioned from a solemn remembrance of the 1915 Medz Yeghern to a forceful demand for accountability regarding the genocidal campaign that stretched from 1915 to the 2023 ethnic cleansing of Artsakh.
Armenian Genocide: A call for justice in Congress
The day began with an incisive Congressional briefing titled “Peace Without Justice in the South Caucasus.” Experts challenged the current trajectory of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, specifically questioning the August 2025 draft agreement initialed at the White House.
While the administration has framed the agreement as a diplomatic milestone, speakers—including international human rights lawyer Karnig Kerkonian, Esq. and retired State Department official Dr. Robert Krikorian—warned that a “peace” that ignores the 150,000 forcibly displaced Artsakh refugees and the continued detention of Armenian hostages is a “peace” built on a hollow foundation.
“Remembrance is a moral imperative, but it must be the servant of justice,” stated ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “Yesterday, we reaffirmed that lasting security in the region requires the release of all Armenian prisoners, the right of return for Artsakh’s people, and the protection of our desecrated Christian heritage.”
The commemoration: From 1915 to 2023
The evening program, held in the Rayburn House Office Building, marked a 61-year tradition of Congressional observances. This year’s theme, “From Remembrance to Responsibility,” drew a direct line from the Ottoman Turkish Genocide of 1915 to the modern struggles of the Armenian nation.
Members of the Congressional Armenian Caucus stood alongside advocates to highlight the ongoing crisis. They addressed the “TRIPP” Corridor—the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity”—a proposal that would grant a U.S. consortium exclusive rights over a transport corridor connecting Azerbaijan to Turkey through Armenian land. Lawmakers and experts warned that such arrangements must not come at the expense of Armenian sovereignty.
Legislative momentum in Congress: The path forward
The observance catalyzed three critical pieces of bipartisan legislation currently moving through the House:
- The Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act of 2025 (H.R.5369): Led by Reps. Dina Titus and Gus Bilirakis, this act directs the administration to review Global Magnitsky sanctions for Azerbaijani officials responsible for war crimes and the illegal detention of Armenian hostages.
- The ARMENIA Security Partnership Act (H.R.6840): Led by Reps. Gus Bilirakis and Frank Pallone, this bill would prohibit the waiver of Section 907, effectively halting U.S. aid to Azerbaijan until the Aliyev regime takes verifiable steps toward a lasting, just peace.
- The Armenian Genocide Education Act (H.R.2585): A bipartisan effort to implement a nationwide Library of Congress education program regarding the 1915–1923 Genocide committed against Armenians and other Christian minorities.
As the 119th Congress moves forward, the message from yesterday’s events was clear: the Armenian-American community and its allies will not accept a diplomatic “breakthrough” that ignores the fundamental rights of the Armenian people.
Related: JD Vance Deletes Post on the Armenian Genocide Not to Upset Turkey
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