Release | Setting the Record Straight: The Ethnic and Religious Cleansing of Artsakh
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Setting the Record Straight: The Ethnic and Religious Cleansing of Artsakh
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: CAPITOL HILL CLUB, 300 First St SE, Washington, DC 20003
WHAT:
Save Armenia: A Judeo-Christian Alliance and Save the Persecuted Christians are hosting a high-level briefing to address the ethnic and religious cleansing of Armenian Christians in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) by Azerbaijan. This event will provide rare insights through testimony from survivors and analyses from leading experts, offering a comprehensive account of forced displacement, cultural erasure, and violence.
The briefing will also explore the broader implications for U.S. national security, especially in the context of energy stability, counter-terrorism, and geopolitical shifts in the Caucasus. The discussions will underscore the role of U.S.-Armenia relations in promoting stability, aligning with core U.S. foreign policy objectives, and safeguarding strategic interests in the region.
WHY IT MATTERS:
The ethnic cleansing of Armenian Christians in Artsakh has profound consequences for regional stability, and by extension, U.S. national security. Azerbaijan’s actions threaten to destabilize a key geographical area that plays a significant role in global energy security and counter-terrorism efforts. This event is a critical platform for shaping future U.S. policy toward the South Caucasus, addressing both humanitarian and strategic dimensions.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Journalists covering international relations, national security, energy policy, and global human rights issues will gain invaluable insights from an array of high-profile speakers and subject matter experts:
- Ambassador Sam Brownback (International Religious Freedom Summit)
- David Curry (Global Christian Relief)
- Eric Ueland (USCIRF Commissioner)
- Aram Hamparian (Armenian National Committee of America)
- Suzanne Grishman (Mercury One / Save the Persecuted Christians)
- Colton Grellier (International Christian Concern)
- Siranush Sargsyan (Journalist)
- Gegham Stepanyan (Human Rights Defender)
- Christine Arakelian (21st Century Project)
- Frank Gaffney (Save the Persecuted Christians)
- Rich Ghazal (In Defense of Christians)
- Tim Jemal (Global ARM)
KEY DISCUSSION POINTS:
- Energy Security & Geopolitical Stability: Azerbaijan’s actions threaten the balance of power in the Caucasus, with potential implications for global energy markets and U.S. strategic interests.
- Religious and Cultural Erasure: The systematic targeting of Armenian Christians in Nagorno-Karabakh has raised alarms about cultural genocide and the erasure of historical heritage.
- Bilateral Relations: The future of U.S.-Armenia relations, particularly in light of recent geopolitical developments, and how America can strengthen its role in ensuring stability in the region.
AGENDA:
2:00 PM – Welcome and Introduction (Matias Perttula)
2:05 PM – Keynote Address (Ambassador Sam Brownback)
2:15 PM – Survivor Testimony: Introduction and Video Presentation
2:45 PM – Panel 1: Persecution of Armenian Christians: Why It Matters to the U.S.
3:30 PM – Panel 2: Armenian Christians in Captivity: Human Rights Violations
4:15 PM – Panel 3: U.S. National Security and Bilateral Relations with Armenia
4:55 PM – Closing Remarks (Matias Perttula)
WHY THIS EVENT IS ESSENTIAL:
This briefing is more than a humanitarian appeal—it is an urgent call for U.S. policymakers and business leaders to recognize the far-reaching consequences of neglecting Armenia’s crisis. Regional instability in the South Caucasus could have severe consequences for U.S. energy interests, international security, and global markets. As Armenia stands at the crossroads of competing global powers, supporting its sovereignty is critical for maintaining balance and preventing further escalations in a strategically vital region.
CONTACT:
Gia Chacón
(949) 278-0810
[email protected]