On June 24, an international conference titled "The Right of Return and Self-Determination: Double Standards and Selective Approaches" was held at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., organized by the Baku Initiative Group.

The event hosted inside the U.S. Congress can be evaluated as a significant contribution toward the recognition by the international community of the facts regarding the ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis by Armenia.

The conference brought together experts specializing in the protection of the rights of refugees and national minorities, human rights defenders, international law specialists, representatives of civil society institutions, and Azerbaijani compatriots of Western Azerbaijani origin.

The conference participants considered it vital to protect the fundamental rights of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis who were forcibly expelled from their historical lands within the territory of Armenia as a result of a deliberate policy of ethnic cleansing. They emphasized the crucial importance of ensuring that international organizations permanently prioritize our compatriots' right to a safe, voluntary, and dignified return to their native homelands.

The participants demanded a formal legal assessment under the framework of international law regarding the systematic destruction, desecration, and appropriation of the cultural, religious, and historical heritage of the Azerbaijani people remaining in Armenia—including toponyms, mosques, cemeteries, shrines, and other historic monuments. Furthermore, they called on international organizations to conduct on-site investigations and document these violations.

Representatives of Armenian media outlets operating in the United States, including representatives of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), also observed the event from the hall. However, no incidents were recorded during the course of the event.

Addressing the conference, compatriots of Western Azerbaijani origin living in the United States shared their personal stories and refugee experiences, detailing the humanitarian tragedy endured by the Azerbaijanis who were forcibly expelled from the territory of Armenia.

At the conclusion of the event, the conference participants adopted an appeal addressed to the members of the U.S. Congress. The message emphasizes the absolute necessity for the consistent, fair, and non-discriminatory implementation of the right of return and the right of peoples to self-determination in accordance with the established norms and principles of international law.