On November 4, the Center for Social Research (CSR) in Baku held a roundtable titled “Parliaments and Global Sanction Trends: How Political Lobbying in Legislative Bodies Obstructs International Law.” During the event, CSR presented its new study, Armenian Lobbying and Political Corruption in Sanctions Against Azerbaijan. Network. Facts. Exposure, as part of its ongoing “Countering Disinformation: Exposure Detector” project.

CSR Chairman and Member of Parliament Zahid Oruc highlighted Armenia’s continued attempts to harm Azerbaijan following its military defeat. Oruc stressed that current anti-Azerbaijani lobbying campaigns aim to undermine Azerbaijan’s success and diminish its regional influence.

Commenting on recent developments, Oruc noted that financial backing for campaigns in the U.S. Congress against Azerbaijan has increased since Azerbaijan’s victory in the Second Karabakh War. He underscored that Azerbaijan has remained resilient to sanctions in its region, with President Ilham Aliyev working strategically to safeguard the country against international restrictions.

Deputy Ramid Namazov, chair of the Temporary Commission on Foreign Interventions and Hybrid Threats, discussed international support for Azerbaijan at COP29, affirming that the extensive backing showcases Azerbaijan’s growing global stature and exposes the weakening influence of the Armenian lobby.

Fariz Ismayilzade, another deputy, emphasized that Armenia’s influence attempts through lobbying stem from envy toward Azerbaijan’s victory and are grounded in religious and diaspora-driven support. He noted that Azerbaijan faced sanctions even when its territories were occupied, attributing this to Armenian lobbying in global organizations and the involvement of NGOs and media.

Deputy Mubariz Qurbanli reflected on Azerbaijan’s journey from an occupied nation to a victorious one, underlining the intensifying sanctions activity since its Karabakh Victory. Qurbanli noted that the U.S., known for employing sanctions globally, has often done so due to Armenian influence and geopolitical interests, referencing the 907th Amendment.

Tahir Allahyarova, a CSR research author and professor, detailed CSR’s latest publication. She highlighted how the international Armenian diaspora’s lobbying efforts seek to hinder Azerbaijan, using mechanisms such as international human rights bodies, legal institutions, and biased resolutions. Allahyarova further noted that the April 26, 2023, proposal for sanctions against Azerbaijan by Armenian-backed U.S. Congress members marked a first in Azerbaijan-U.S. relations.

The event concluded with discussions among officials and experts.

Source: AZƏRTAC