,,ii #aahth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bijj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #ba1 #bjbc,mr4 ,menendez 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,cassidy1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 ,mr4 ,padilla1 ,mr4 ,van ,hollen1 ,mr4 ,markey1 and ,mr4 ,peters7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to protect and provide humanitarian assistance to ,armenians in ,armenia and ,nagorno-,karabakh impacted by actions taken by the ,government of ,azerbaijan1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,supporting ,armenians ,against ,azerbaijani ,aggression ,act of #bjbc4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,in ,september #bjbj1 ,azerbaijan invaded ,nagorno-,karabakh1 resulting in conflict in which more than #f1ejj people in ,armenia1 ,azerbaijan1 and ,nagorno-,karabakh were killed4 7#b7 ,according to the ,united ,nations ,high ,commissioner for ,refugees 7,,unhcr71 ,azerbaijan's #bjbj invasion resulted in the displacement of more than #ia1jjj individuals from ,nagorno-,karabakh1 with the vast majority1 primarily women and children1 living in a refugee-like situation in the war's aftermath4 7#c7 ,people displaced by ,azerbaijan's invasion of ,nagorno-,karabakh continue to have acute humanitarian needs1 including access to drinking water and health care4 7#d7 ,the ,,covid-#ai pandemic compounded many of the challenges faced by ,armenians displaced from ,nagorno-,karabakh4 7#e7 ,human ,rights ,watch found that ,azerbaijani forces indiscriminately used cluster munitions and artillery rockets against civilian targets and destroyed civilian infrastructure1 including hospitals and schools during the #bjbj war4 7#f7 ,in ,september #bjbb1 ,azerbaijan unleashed another assault on ,armenian territory1 including the cities of ,vardenis1 ,sotk1 ,artanish1 ,ishkhanasar1 ,goris1 and ,kapan1 which killed almost #djj military personnel4 7#g7 ,azerbaijani forces shelled ,armenian communities in ,september #bjbb1 killing at least #d civilians1 injuring #ad1 and displacing at least #g1fjj people1 including almost #a1ejj children and #ajj people with disabilities4 7#h7 ,in ,december #bjbb1 ,azerbaijan imposed a blockade of the ,lachin ,corridor1 a road by which #ij percent of food consumed by residents of ,nagorno-,karabakh previously entered the enclave4 7#i7 ,representatives of ,nagorno-,karabakh report that shortages of electricity and gas have caused #bj percent of the region's businesses to close1 led hospitals to ration power1 prevented rural residents from traveling to hospitals in the capital city of ,stepanakert1 and resulted in children missing school4 7#aj7 ,the ,international ,committee of the ,red ,cross 7,,icrc7 has evacuated #aif patients from ,nagorno-,karabakh through the ,lachin ,corridor for medical treatment since the blockade's beginning and has helped #dbb people to overcome family separations resulting from the blockade4 7#aa7 ,the ,international ,court of ,justice ordered ,azerbaijan in ,february #bjbc to ensure unimpeded movement of persons1 vehicles1 and cargo along the ,lachin ,corridor in both directions1 a ruling with which it has failed to comply4 7#ab7 ,azerbaijan's installation of a military checkpoint in the ,lachin ,corridor in ,april #bjbc further threatens the supply of urgent humanitarian goods to ,nagorno-,karabakh4 7#ac7 ,on ,august #f1 #bjbc1 the ,armenian ,ombudsperson reported that no humanitarian aid had entered ,nagorno-,karabakh since ,june #ae1 and that miscarriages had tripled4 7#ad7 ,on ,august #g1 #bjbc1 a ,united ,nations group of experts stated that ,azerbaijan's ongoing blockade of the ,lachin ,corridor is a humanitarian emergency that has created severe shortages of essential food staples and threatens medical reserves4 ,they further noted that ,azerbaijan's lifting of the blockade could alleviate the suffering of thousands and is essential to ensure the safety1 dignity1 and well-being of all individuals during this critical time4 7#ae7 ,in certain instances1 ,azerbaijani authorities have detained residents of ,nagorno-,karabakh traveling to ,armenia through the ,lachin ,corridor1 leaving ethnic ,armenians who choose to depart for ,armenia to avoid starvation to wonder if they can depart safely4 7#af7 ,according to the ,international ,committee of the ,red ,cross1 residents of ,nagorno-,karabakh lack life-saving medication1 hygiene products1 and baby formula1 and basic foodstuffs are increasingly scarce4 7#ag7 ,the ,united ,states ,commission on ,international ,religious ,freedom's #bjbc ,annual ,report noted the documented destruction of ,armenian heritage sites in ,nagorno-,karabakh1 including ,st4 ,sargis ,church1 while the ,european ,parliament in ,march #bjbc condemned an ,azerbaijani policy to erase and deny ,armenian cultural heritage in and around ,nagorno-,karabakh4 7#ah7 ,in a ,september #bjbb report1 the ,united ,nations ,committee on the ,elimination of ,racial ,discrimination expressed deep concern in ,azerbaijan regarding incitement to racial hatred and the propagation of racist stereotypes against persons of ,armenian national or ethnic origin1 including on the ,internet and social media1 as well as by public figures and government officials1 and the lack of detailed information on investigations1 prosecutions1 convictions1 and sanctions for such acts4 7#ai7 ,azerbaijan could open the ,lachin ,corridor and allow lifesaving provisions to reach the population inside1 but is choosing not to4 7#bj7 ,any peace agreement between ,armenia and ,azerbaijan will only be sustainable if its includes protections for the ,armenian population of ,nagorno-,karabakh4 7#ba7 ,on ,september #ai1 #bjbc ,azerbaijan launched an assault on ,nagorno-,karabakh1 attacking civilian infrastructure and killing numerous civilians1 including children4 #c4 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 ,azerbaijan is conducting a campaign of ethnic cleansing against ,armenians living in ,nagorno-,karabakh and the ,united ,states and the international community have a responsibility to provide immediate humanitarian support2 7#b7 ,azerbaijan's blockade of the ,lachin ,corridor threatens the lives and wellbeing of all people inside ,nagorno-,karabakh1 and the ,government of ,azerbaijan must immediately open the humanitarian corridor to allow for the flow of goods2 7#c7 the ,government of ,azerbaijan must immediately cease actions that undermine the mission of the ,international ,committee of the ,red ,cross and restore unfettered humanitarian access to the region1 including by facilitating the transfer of food1 fuel1 medicine1 and hygiene products2 and 7#d7 the ,government of ,azerbaijan should immediately release all ,armenian prisoners of war4 #d4 ,humanitarian assistance for ,armenians in ,armenia and ,nagorno-,karabakh ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 for fiscal year #bjbd1 #cj1jjj1jjj to provide humanitarian assistance to groups in ,armenia and ,nagorno-,karabakh impacted by the #bjbj ,nagorno-,karabakh ,war1 ,azerbaijan's ,september #bjbb attack on ,armenia1 and ,azerbaijan's blockade of the ,lachin ,corridor4 #e4 ,freedom support ,act section #ijg waiver repeal ,title ,,ii of the ,foreign ,operations1 ,export ,financing1 and ,related ,programs ,appropriations ,act1 #bjjb 7,public ,law #ajg-aae7 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #ehab note7 is amended1 under the heading assistance for the independent states of the former ,soviet ,union1 by striking paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#f7 of subsection 7g74 #f4 ,foreign military financing 7a7 ,authorization ,there is authorized to be appropriated #aj1jjj1jjj for the ,department of ,state for fiscal year #bjbd for ,foreign ,military ,financing program assistance for the ,republic of ,armenia4 7b7 ,purposes ,the ,foreign ,military ,financing program assistance authorized by subsection 7a7 shall be used to-- 7#a7 support ,armenia's sovereign independence2 7#b7 support joint training and exercises with the ,united ,states2 7#c7 enhance ,united ,states-,armenia interoperability2 and 7#d7 train ,armenian forces for future international peacekeeping operations4 #g4 ,strategy to protect the rights of people in ,nagorno-,karabakh 7a7 ,strategy required ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed strategy to ensure the durable security for the people of ,nagorno-,karabakh4 7b7 ,elements ,the strategy required by subsection 7a7 shall include-- 7#a7 incorporating the rights and security of the people in ,nagorno-,karabakh into any and all efforts to facilitate peace talks between ,armenia and ,azerbaijan2 and 7#b7 a plan to work with leaders of ,nagorno-,karabakh and the international community to ensure-- 7,a7 the establishment of accountability measures to ensure the rights and security of the population of ,nagorno-,karabakh in the event that the governments of ,armenia and ,azerbaijan reach a peace agreement2 7,b7 support for the protection of ,armenian cultural heritage sites in ,nagorno-,karabakh2 and 7,c7 ,armenians in ,nagorno-,karabakh are able maintain their right to study according to a curriculum designed by local representatives1 worship according to their chosen religious beliefs1 and speak their preferred language4 #h4 ,accountability for alleged ,azerbaijani atrocities during ,september #bjbb attack on ,armenia 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed report regarding alleged ,azerbaijani atrocities during its attacks on ,armenia in ,september #bjbb and on ,nagorno-,karabakh in ,september #bjbc4 7b7 ,elements ,the report required under subsection 7a7 shall include the following elements3 7#a7 ,a description of the status of efforts to investigate1 verify1 and promote accountability for alleged atrocities1 including war crimes and crimes against humanity that ,azerbaijani forces committed during the course of ,azerbaijan's attacks on ,armenia in ,september #bjbb and on ,nagorno-,karabakh in ,september #bjbc1 and a description any the documented atrocities to date4 7#b7 ,a description of ,united ,states support for efforts to investigate1 verify1 and promote accountability for alleged atrocities1 including war crimes and crimes against humanity that ,azerbaijani forces committed during the course of ,azerbaijan's attacks on ,armenia in ,september #bjbb and on ,nagorno-,karabakh in ,september #bjbc4 7#c7 ,a description of efforts to promote justice for victims of alleged atrocities4 7#d7 ,a strategy for diplomatic engagement to build support for widespread accountability for these atrocities1 including multilateral engagements1 economic sanctions1 and visa restrictions4 7#e7 ,plans to deter future ,azerbaijani attacks against ,armenia4 #i4 ,assistance to support the energy sector of the ,republic ,of ,armenia 7a7 ,authority ,the ,secretary of ,state and the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development are authorized to implement activities identified in the ,january #bjba ,action ,plan to ,ensure ,implementation of the ,republic of ,armenia ,energy ,sector ,development ,strategic ,program--,market ,liberalization and ,electricity ,trade 7,,mlet7 program produced by the ,government of the ,republic of ,armenia and ,,usaid to improve the ,republic of ,armenia's energy security and enhance ,armenia's domestic energy production4 7b7 ,technical support for grid synchronization 7#a7 ,cooperation ,the ,secretary and the ,administrator shall work with the ,republic of ,armenia and the ,republic of ,georgia1 as requested by the governments of those countries1 to cooperate on the synchronization of electrical grids and broker arrangements to allow for the purchase and transmission of electricity between the ,republic of ,armenia and the ,republic of ,georgia4 7#b7 ,technical assistance ,the ,secretary and the ,administrator may provide technical assistance to the ,republic of ,georgia and the ,republic of ,armenia on energy sector regulatory reforms and system modifications1 including the development of compatible cross-border transmission infrastructure necessary to allow for the safe and secure operation of an integrated power grid between the ,republic of ,armenia and the ,republic of ,georgia4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated #fej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbd through #bjbf to carry out activities under this section4 #aj4 ,partnerships for ,united ,states-,armenian cooperation on science and technology 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,state1 in coordination with the heads of other relevant ,federal agencies1 shall seek opportunities to facilitate partnerships between various ,united ,states entities and appropriate entities in ,armenia to deepen collaboration and exchanges in science and technology1 including-- 7#a7 an institution of higher education2 or 7#b7 a ,united ,states national laboratory or relevant federally operated research facility1 including research1 innovation1 or technology laboratories1 proving grounds1 test facilities1 or centers of excellence operated by the ,department of ,agriculture1 the ,department of ,transportation1 or the ,department of ,commerce that specialize in facilitating collaboration on the development of new applied science1 research and technologies in the fields of transportation1 agriculture1 and food production1 or telecommunications and information technology4 7b7 ,identification of partners ,the ,secretary of ,state shall identify private sector entities that will contribute resources to the initiatives and projects developed through partnerships under this section4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated #ej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbd through #bjbh for activities under this section4 #aa4 ,imposition of sanctions with respect to officials of the ,government of ,azerbaijan related to ethnic cleansing in ,nagorno-,karabakh 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and after making the determination required by subsection 7c71 the ,president shall impose sanctions described in subsection 7d7 with respect to each official of the ,government of ,azerbaijan-- 7#a7 specified in subsection 7b72 or 7#b7 determined by the ,president under subsection 7c7 to have directed an attack or the blockade described in that subsection4 7b7 ,officials specified ,the officials specified in this subsection are the following3 7#a7 ,the ,president of ,azerbaijan4 7#b7 ,the ,minister of ,defense of ,azerbaijan4 7#c7 ,the ,minister of ,defense ,industry of ,azerbaijan4 7#d7 ,the ,chief of the ,state ,border ,service of ,azerbaijan4 7#e7 ,the ,chief of the ,state ,security ,service of ,azerbaijan4 7#f7 ,the ,chief of the ,foreign ,intelligence ,service of ,azerbaijan4 7c7 ,identification of additional officials ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall determine whether any officials of the ,government of ,azerbaijan1 in addition to the officials specified in subsection 7b71 directed-- 7#a7 operations that instigated the #bjbj ,nagorno-,karabakh ,war2 7#b7 attacks on ,armenia in ,september #bjbb2 7#c7 the blockade of the ,lachin ,corridor beginning in ,december #bjbb2 or 7#d7 attacks on ,nagorno-,karabakh in ,september #bjbc4 7d7 ,sanctions described ,the sanctions to be imposed under subsection 7a7 with respect to an official described in that subsection include any of the sanctions authorized under the ,international ,emergency ,economic ,powers ,act 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #agja et seq47 or any other provision of law4 7e7 ,national security waiver ,the ,president may waive the imposition of sanctions under this section with respect to an official described in subsection 7a7 if the ,president-- 7#a7 determines that such a waiver is in the national security interests of the ,united ,states2 and 7#b7 submits to the appropriate congressional committees a notification of the waiver and the reasons for the waiver4 #ab4 ,appropriate congressional committees defined ,in this ,act1 the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7#a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 and 7#b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4