On November 20, 2024, Azerbaijani Ombudsperson Sabina Aliyeva publicly criticized U.S. Congressmen Frank Pallone and Edward Markey for their recent statements regarding Azerbaijan, which she described as disconnected from reality and hostile. Aliyeva emphasized the need for the safe return of displaced Azerbaijanis, highlighting that 20% of Azerbaijan's territory had been occupied for nearly 30 years, displacing over one million people [fc3417d0].
This criticism from Aliyeva follows a letter sent by Azerbaijani Members of Parliament (MPs) to Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on October 5, 2024, urging a reassessment of relations with the United States. The MPs expressed concerns about perceived double standards and pressure from Washington, particularly in light of a letter from U.S. lawmakers to Secretary of State Antony Blinken that they claimed contained racial discrimination against Azerbaijan [8f4b5716].
Aliyeva condemned Pallone's endorsement of an unrecognized leader under investigation for war crimes, accusing the congressmen of bias influenced by the Armenian lobby. She called for respect for international law and noted Pallone's evasion of media questions during COP29, which she interpreted as intolerance for free speech [fc3417d0].
The backdrop of these developments includes ongoing U.S. diplomatic efforts to stabilize relations in the South Caucasus, particularly between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had previously reaffirmed support for Armenia's sovereignty while advocating for normalization between the two countries [238a1d95].
As tensions continue to escalate, the Azerbaijani MPs' proposal to withdraw from defense agreements with the U.S. and suspend USAID activities reflects a growing frustration with U.S. policies perceived as biased against Azerbaijan's national interests [8f4b5716].