Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bob Casey Jr. (D-Penn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) today introduced two resolutions to require Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to detail Azerbaijan’s and Turkey’s human rights abuses throughout the south Caucasus, within their own countries, and, in Turkey’s case, in Syria, Iraq, and Libya. The resolutions also require information on what role U.S. security assistance may be playing in these abuses to inform whether the United States should restrict or end security assistance and arms sales to those countries. Both resolutions invoke statutory authority under section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA).

The Greek ambassador to Azerbaijan has been summoned to Athens for consultations, by decision of Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, after the unacceptable allegations of the Azerbaijani government about the alleged tolerance of the Greek state to the preparation of terrorist acts.

Baku, just like any other capital around the world, fell silent when a nationwide quarantine was imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19. The typically bustling and boisterous streets around Fountains Square filled with restaurants, boutiques and cafes were empty and eerie. The beautiful promenade stretching along the Caspian Sea was deserted. There were no tourists taking pictures of the city’s historic sites or of its impressive skyline. Baku felt like a city without its vibrant soul.