U.S. human rights advocates urge Trump to help Armenians return to Karabakh

Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker at a press conference of the “Christian Solidarity International” organization. Photo: Associated Press

On August 8, 2025, the organization Christian Solidarity International (CSI) called on U.S. President Donald Trump to help ensure the safe return of Armenian Christians to the Nagorno-Karabakh region, World News reported.

The statement came against the backdrop of a peace summit at the White House attended by the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. CSI, which holds consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council, appealed to Trump to support the Swiss peace initiative on Karabakh, which calls for Azerbaijan’s participation in a forum with ethnic Armenian leaders.

The goal of the forum is to reach an agreement that would allow nearly 150,000 displaced Armenian Christians to return home.

That same day, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a peace agreement, which Trump said ends the 34-year conflict. The U.S. also concluded bilateral economic agreements with both countries.

CSI recalled that in 2023 Azerbaijan regained control over Nagorno-Karabakh and declared an amnesty for local Armenian Christians, but most left the region fearing persecution. The region’s leaders were arrested and accused of terrorism.

According to the organization, more than 100 Armenians remain in captivity, while dozens of clergy and public figures have been arrested in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the UN called for a legal resolution of the conflict surrounding the Armenian Church.

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