BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis (Parliament) has strongly protested a bill approved by the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, rejecting what it described as "groundless accusations" against the country.
According to a statement published on the official website of the Azerbaijani parliament, lawmakers condemned H.R. 9087, adopted by the committee on July 22, 2026, calling it a politically motivated initiative that disregards international law and Azerbaijan's sovereignty.
The parliament argued that the bill represents another attempt to use the US Congress as a political pressure tool against Azerbaijan in the interests of the Armenian lobby. It also accused Congressman Brad Sherman, identified as the bill's sponsor, of consistently advancing the political agenda of Armenian lobbying groups.
The statement further claimed that such legislative initiatives, introduced ahead of US congressional elections, are intended to secure political and financial backing from influential lobbying organizations rather than serve US national interests. Azerbaijani lawmakers said the objectivity of such decisions should be examined by the relevant US authorities.
The Milli Majlis also alleged that the initiative is part of a broader international campaign aimed at discrediting Azerbaijan. The statement referred to former International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo and several European parliamentarians, including Frank Schwabe, accusing them of promoting politically motivated positions influenced by Armenian lobbying circles.
According to the parliament, the timing of the bill is particularly concerning because it coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts to advance the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The statement noted that mediation efforts supported by US President Donald Trump have created a genuine opportunity to normalize bilateral relations.
The parliament argued that politically motivated initiatives undermine confidence between the parties and risk disrupting the peace process, while serving the interests of groups opposed to reconciliation in the South Caucasus.
The statement also rejected references in the bill describing individuals convicted by Azerbaijani courts as "prisoners of war" or "political prisoners." It maintained that those individuals had been prosecuted for offenses including war crimes, terrorism, enforced disappearances, torture and other crimes under Azerbaijani legislation and international law.
The Milli Majlis concluded by calling on members of the US Congress to refrain from decisions influenced by organized lobbying groups, respect Azerbaijan's sovereignty and international law, and avoid actions that could negatively affect peace efforts in the South Caucasus.
