The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of the Republic of Azerbaijan has issued a strong protest regarding the H.R. 9087 bill, adopted by the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs on July 22, 2026.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the Azerbaijani parliament released an official statement categorically rejecting the unfounded accusations contained within the document. The legislative initiative is characterized as a blatant disregard for international law and a clear attempt by the U.S. Congress to serve as a tool for political pressure against Azerbaijan, driven by the interests of the Armenian lobby.
The statement identifies the bill's author, Congressman Brad Sherman, as a figure known for his consistent alignment with Armenian lobby groups and their political agenda. The Milli Majlis emphasized that such initiatives, appearing ahead of U.S. elections, are not intended to advance U.S. national interests but rather to secure political and financial support from influential lobby circles. The parliament urged U.S. law enforcement to investigate the objectivity of such decision-making processes.
The Milli Majlis highlighted that these actions occur at a critical juncture when the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia is actively advancing. The statement noted that international efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace, particularly the mediation initiatives and direct support of U.S. President Donald Trump, have created real opportunities for normalizing relations. In this context, unilateral, politically motivated decisions by individual congressmen undermine the climate of trust and hinder the peace process.
Furthermore, the parliament expressed outrage at the use of terms such as "prisoners of war" and "political prisoners" in the bill to describe individuals convicted by Azerbaijani courts. The statement clarified that these individuals are not prisoners of war or political prisoners, but rather persons held accountable under Azerbaijani legislation and international law for crimes including military aggression, war crimes, enforced disappearances, torture, and terrorism. Attempting to portray them as victims of political persecution is a deliberate distortion of facts and an interference in the administration of justice by a sovereign state.
The Milli Majlis called on U.S. congressmen to abandon the practice of making decisions under the influence of organized Armenian lobby groups, to respect international law and Azerbaijan's sovereignty, and to avoid becoming instruments for forces interested in maintaining regional tension in the South Caucasus.
