Sabina Aliyeva, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan, has issued a formal statement marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The address highlights the humanitarian crisis regarding missing persons in Azerbaijan following the First and Second Garabagh Wars, emphasizing the urgent need for international cooperation to determine their fates and provide closure to affected families.
What is the status of missing persons in Azerbaijan?
Official data indicates that over 4,000 Azerbaijani citizens were registered as missing following the First Garabagh War. Since the conclusion of recent conflicts, authorities have located 32 mass graves in liberated territories. Through systematic forensic examination and DNA matching, the identities of 328 individuals have been established, and the remains of 250 have been returned to their families. However, the fate of 3,682 citizens remains unknown, leaving families in a state of prolonged uncertainty.
Why is international cooperation essential?
The Ombudsman emphasized that determining the fate of missing persons is a fundamental requirement of international humanitarian law. With the passage of time, the loss of material evidence and the decreasing number of witnesses complicate search efforts. The statement calls upon international organizations and former conflict parties to intensify cooperation by sharing information on mass graves and expanding joint efforts in DNA analysis to resolve this humanitarian issue and ensure the right to truth.
