Senator Portantino’s Statement on the 33rd Anniversary of Artsakh’s Independence
For Immediate Release: September 2, 2024
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Senator Portantino’s Statement on the 33rd Anniversary of Artsakh’s Independence
Glendale, California – Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) released the following statement on the 33rd Anniversary of Artsakh’s independence:
“On the anniversary of the Republic of Artsakh's independence, we honor those who have fought for their right to self-determination and express our solidarity with the people of Artsakh who have been wrongfully and tragically displaced from their ancestral lands. Despite the challenges they face, their resilience and spirit remain a powerful source of inspiration for all who champion self-determination, democracy, and peace.
Soon we will mark one year since Azerbaijan’s brutal attack on Artsakh, which, after a ten-month blockade, led to the expulsion of over 120,000 ethnic Armenians. The Aliyev regime still detains Armenian prisoners, including former officials, who face torture. Recent reports also confirm the ongoing destruction of Armenian cultural sites in Artsakh.
Earlier this year, I led efforts in the State Senate to urge the Biden administration to increase its support for the forcibly displaced indigenous Armenians of Artsakh and to demand the immediate release Armenian POWs, civilians, and government leaders illegally held captive by Azerbaijan. As we continue to pledge our support for the people of Artsakh, it is vital to hold Azerbaijan accountable for their genocidal actions.”
Senator Portantino chairs the Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia, and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange, which was first established in 2017 at the request of Senator Portantino. The Senator was invited to go to Artsakh after the 44-day war by Human Rights Ombudsman Artak Beglaryan.
California has the largest population of Armenian Americans in the country, with the 25th Senate District having the largest concentration. In 2014, the California State Legislature adopted AJR 32, which recognized the Republic of Artsakh as a free and independent nation.
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