Azerbaijan called on the UN to play a more active role in the issue of missing persons

The UN and other relevant international organizations, within their mandates, should play a more active role in searching for missing persons, facilitating the exchange of information about them, developing forensic expertise, and expanding support for affected families.

As reported by BAKU.WS, this was stated by First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the UN Shahriyar Hajiyev during an interactive dialogue with the Chair of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances within the framework of the Third Committee of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

The diplomat noted that the issue of missing persons is one of the most serious and concerning problems of armed conflicts and should be considered a global challenge affecting human lives in various regions around the world.

"In this context, the fate of missing persons remains one of the most important priorities for Azerbaijan in the post-conflict period. In connection with the former conflict, more than 4,000 people are registered as missing.

At the same time, since the end of the conflict, 32 mass graves have been discovered containing the remains of 253 people. These burials represent additional evidence of the deliberate killing of civilians and other persons protected under international humanitarian law," Sh. Hajiyev stated.

According to him, providing all necessary information about burial sites, particularly mass graves, opening archives, and collecting witness testimonies are among the measures that must be taken to realize the right of families of missing persons to know the truth.

"The transfer of all relevant information about missing persons, in addition to being a legal obligation and humanitarian responsibility, would serve as a practical demonstration of commitment to peace and would contribute to building mutual trust," the diplomat emphasized.