Massachusetts House supports Artsakh’s independence

On August 6, 2012 the House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts adopted a resolution submitted by State Representative Jonathan Hecht urging “the President and Congress of the USA to support the self-determination and democratic independence of Nagorno-Karabakh,” Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the USA reported.

The resolution condemns the killings of Armenians in Sumgait, Kirovabad and Baku and acts of violent repression by Azerbaijan against the peaceful demonstrations for self-determination in Nagorno-Karabakh. The document notes that today also the “Nagorno-Karabakh’s security continues to be threatened by Azerbaijan’s hostile acts.” It praises, that despite these continuous acts of violence, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh in a popular referendum on December 10, 1991 voted in support of independence, freedom and democracy.

The resolution also congratulates “Nagorno-Karabakh on the success of its ongoing efforts to develop democracy” and commends the July 19, 2012 presidential elections as “another major step” in this regard.

"We thank the Massachusetts State House for passing the resolution in support of Artsakh’s freedom. By adopting this document, the Massachusetts legislators have promoted the universal values of the human rights and liberties," said NKR representative Robert Avetisyan.

“We are grateful to Representative Hecht for his crucial leadership in this issue. We also praise our compatriots and longtime supporters James Kalustian and Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian for their great dedication and continued efforts in promoting Artsakh’s interests in the United States,” Avetisyan added.