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February 21, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 35 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

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HONORING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF BAKU POGROMS; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 35
(Extensions of Remarks - February 21, 2020)

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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             HONORING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF BAKU POGROMS

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. TJ COX---

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 21, 2020

  Mr. COX of California. Madam Speaker, this year we mark the 30th 
anniversary of the anti-Armenian pogroms that took place in Baku, 
Azerbaijan. These pogroms were a continuation of a longstanding pattern 
of increasingly violent attacks against Armenians. During a week-long 
pogrom, Armenians in Baku were killed, tortured, robbed, and tens of 
thousands were forced to flee their homes to escape persecution, 
causing families to be uprooted and torn apart.
  The Azerbaijani leadership has yet to be held accountable for this 
violence against its Armenian civilians. Instead of condemning these 
atrocities of decades ago, the Aliyev government continues holding a 
militant policy against Armenians, especially within the region of 
Nagorno-Karabakh.
  I call upon my colleagues to join me in condemning this atrocity, 
strengthening our ties to the Republic of Artsakh, and holding 
Azerbaijan accountable for its actions. While we mourn the lives lost 
in this tragedy, it is imperative that we encourage Azerbaijan to 
acknowledge their past and that we press forward with the bipartisan 
Royce-Engel peace proposals.
  Madam Speaker, we must follow a principled U.S. policy--condemning 
violence and promoting peace--both by securing foreign aid to Nagorno-
Karabakh and withholding financial and military support from 
Azerbaijan. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the 
Armenian Caucus to continue pushing policies promoting peace and human 
rights for Armenians and for all.

                          ____________________