The National Council of the Churches of Christ (NCC) has called for the US to provide urgently needed humanitarian aid for the people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) who were forced to flee their homes during the unprovoked attack by Azerbaijan and Turkey. This is noted in a statement ( https://nationalcouncilofchurches.us/ncc-calls-for-humanitarian-aid-to-armenia-and-the-release-of-armenian-soldiers/ ) released by the NCC.

“We plead for the United States to actively negotiate the safe return of Armenian soldiers and citizens who are being held in violation of the ceasefire agreement signed on November 9, 2020. We also urge the broad recognition of the Armenian Genocide of the early 20th century by all political and faith leaders throughout the United States,” the statement also reads.

Also, the NCC applauded the letter signed by 101 Members of Congress that was sent to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, noting that the US must deal immediately with the food, shelter, and protection issue of some 50,000 displaced families.

“We call on President Biden and the Secretary of State to take direct action and negotiate the release of all Armenian soldiers and civilians held by Azerbaijan. Even though the cease fire agreement mandated that Azerbaijan must free all Armenian prisoners of war and apprehended citizens, Azerbaijan has refused to abide by the agreement. An unknown number, believed to be over 200 Armenians, continue to be held captive. Many were captured after the military hostilities ended. Due to the release of videos, we fear the mistreatment and torture of those who are detained,” the NCC added in its statement.

“We lament of the destruction of the churches and religious monuments during the conflict. (…). Azerbaijan is required to protect cultural heritage during their aggression,” the statement also reads.

“As Armenians continue to be displaced and killed, we call for the [US] President to keep his pledge and formally recognize the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 2021, Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, in order to further the US commitment to human rights,” the NCC statement added in particular.