UN envoy urges Armenia to reveal plight of thousands of Azerbaijanis missing since early 90s
POLITICS 24 January 2023 - 12:22
Azerbaijan has said that Armenia is obliged to report on the fate of thousands of Azerbaijanis, who went missing after Yerevan's nearly 30-year occupation policy since the early 1990s.
Azerbaijan's Permanent Representative to UN Yashar Aliyev made the remarks in a letter dated January 13, 2023, which was addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and published as a document of the General Assembly and the Security Council.
"I am writing to update you on Azerbaijan’s efforts to establish the fate of several thousand of its citizens who went missing during the aggression of Armenia since the early 1990s. The unlawful targeting of Azerbaijani civilians and peaceful settlements, the taking and holding of hostages, the mistreatment and summary execution of prisoners
of war and civilian detainees, ethnic cleansing, the extensive destruction of inhabited areas and civilian infrastructure and the desecration and eradication of Azerbaijani
cultural and religious heritage were the methods and means deliberately used by Armenia to achieve its military objectives," Aliyev said in his statement.
He added that the tragic consequences of the Armenian aggression include "3,890 missing citizens of Azerbaijan, including 719 civilians. Among the civilians, 71 are children, 267 are women and 326 are elderly".
"It was established that 872 persons (605 servicemen and 267 civilians, including 29 children, 98 women and 112 elderly) were taken either as prisoners of war or
hostages. Despite the fact that they were seen alive at the moment of captivity, their whereabouts are unknown.
"Moreover, dozens of Azerbaijani detainees died or disappeared in Armenian custody even after being visited by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation at the end of 2020 provided compelling evidence of gross and systematic violations of international law by Armenia.
"Remains presumably belonging to 118 persons were discovered in mass graves in these territories between February 2021 and November 2022. These graves shed
light on the wilful killing of Azerbaijani civilians and other persons protected under international humanitarian law.
"A mass grave discovered in a mountain cave near the village of Bashlibel (Kalbajar district) revealed that the armed forces of Armenia fired directly upon the
villagers hiding in the cave, killing at least 12 of them, including 2 children and 5 elderly.
"The remains of children and women were also found in a mass grave in the village of Farrukh (Khojaly district). Another source of evidence of extreme brutality are the mass graves discovered in the village of Edilli (Khojavand district), which hold the remains of a dozen Azerbaijanis whose hands and feet were bound with wire and rope, indicating their summary execution.
"Mass graves were also discovered in other liberated districts of Azerbaijan. For almost 30 years of war and occupation, Armenia refused to account for the
missing persons or to conduct investigations into their fate.
"Only in 2022, Armenia handed over to Azerbaijan 67 bags containing mixed remains belonging to 106 persons. It cannot but cause deep indignation that Armenia
has kept these remains for three decades, contrary to all moral canons, in violation of international humanitarian law and in open contempt for the right of families to know the fate of their loved ones.
"Moreover, Armenia continues to refrain from providing information on the locations of mass graves in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan.
"Ongoing search operations carried out by Azerbaijan are also hampered by a serious mine threat, while Armenia refuses to provide complete and accurate maps of
hundreds of thousands of mines that it planted in the territories of Azerbaijan during their occupation.
"Both the General Assembly and the Security Council have adopted a series of resolutions on missing persons, reaffirming the obligations of States under
international humanitarian law to prevent enforced disappearances and to account for missing persons. The rights of the victims and their families require these obligations
to be translated into immediate action.
"It is important that the international community insist on Armenia’s strict compliance with international law by effectively investigating and prosecuting serious violations committed by its armed forces during the aggression, as well as by providing information about the missing persons, the location of remains and any undisclosed mass grave sites, and complete and accurate maps of the minefields that it had laid in the territory of Azerbaijan.
"I should be grateful if you would have the present letter circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda items 30, 58, 64, 66, 68, 73, 84 and 132, and of the Security Council," the letter said.
Caliber.Az
1
|
Poland suspends military drills following fifth soldier's death
27 March 2024 - 13:41
|
2
|
Syrian scenario for Armenia Russian, Israeli experts’ views for Caliber.Az
26 March 2024 - 17:27
|
3
|
Serbian president warns of difficult days ahead
27 March 2024 - 11:04
|
4
|
Global reactions to UNSC Gaza ceasefire resolution Diverse views, urgent action
27 March 2024 - 18:00
|
5
|
Vucic warns of Serbia's Council of Europe departure amid Kosovo debate Double standards alert
28 March 2024 - 12:13
|
Turkmenistan ready to diversify natural gas supplies to ECO countries - president
29 March 2024 - 05:00
Eurasianet: Armenian government grappling with border delimitation dilemma
29 March 2024 - 03:01
Iran displays advanced military might at international exhibition
PHOTO/VIDEO29 March 2024 - 01:00
Armenia’s exports to Russia raise concerns over sanctions circumvention
28 March 2024 - 23:00
Lavrov blames Armenian leadership for deliberately undermining relations with Moscow
28 March 2024 - 21:09
Turkish, Azerbaijani filmmakers unite for joint historical film Golden Train
28 March 2024 - 20:57
Japan looks to revive commercial aircraft development dreams
28 March 2024 - 20:45
CoE committee plans working visit to Armenia to assess regional dynamics
28 March 2024 - 20:41
Azerbaijan, OIC Youth Forum ink deal for Shusha 2024 program
28 March 2024 - 20:37
Ukraine drone strike hits Russian infrastructure - Belgorod governor
28 March 2024 - 20:29
EU mission in Armenia transitioning to NATO oversight
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov28 March 2024 - 20:20
US buys 2.8 mln barrels of oil for strategic reserve
28 March 2024 - 20:14
Int’l program OIC Youth capital Shusha-2024 to host array of events - minister
28 March 2024 - 19:59
Iran oil & gas expo strategic nexus for domestic & global energy players
28 March 2024 - 19:59
Who is Mohammad Mustafa, Palestinian Prime Minister-designate?
28 March 2024 - 19:45
Shusha holds paramount significance for all Turkic states
OIC Youth Forum president28 March 2024 - 19:35
More than 20% of global oil refining capacity at risk, analysis finds
28 March 2024 - 19:29
Pakistan urges US for Iran gas pipeline waiver, calls project 'need of the hour'
28 March 2024 - 19:14
NYT: Russian group spread disinformation about Princess of Wales
28 March 2024 - 19:00
UN picks Saudi Arabia to lead women’s rights forum despite "abysmal" record
28 March 2024 - 18:49
Moroccan journalist advocates for truth in reporting on Azerbaijan
28 March 2024 - 18:36
Pundit warns of new crisis in Armenian-Russian relations
28 March 2024 - 18:21
The American Prospect: One more way Supreme Court legalizes corruption
Disgraced Bob Menendez pretending to “run” for re-election28 March 2024 - 18:07
Russian parliament assesses Türkiye's position on Moscow terrorist attack
28 March 2024 - 17:53
Mortality rate exceeds birth rate in Georgia
28 March 2024 - 17:40
President Erdogan alleges global opposition to Türkiye's actions
VIDEO28 March 2024 - 17:26
Greece's military shift sparks controversy as air force fleet shrinks
28 March 2024 - 17:13
The New York Times: Why Russia’s vast security services fell short on deadly attack
28 March 2024 - 17:00
Armenia's Republican Party advocates Western solutions for national challenges
28 March 2024 - 16:49
Turkiye neutralizes over 600 “terrorists” since January
28 March 2024 - 16:40
Another protest against French colonialism held in New Caledonia
Azerbaijani flag raised28 March 2024 - 16:25
Azerbaijan's scepticism, Russia's concerns, & France's role in the South Caucasus
Geopolitical chess28 March 2024 - 16:10
Armenia lured by Brussels' bait
Yerevan’s pivot from Moscow28 March 2024 - 15:58
What does the Moscow terror attack mean for Russia?
The enemy is much closer28 March 2024 - 15:43
The Hub: COP29 to nudge global climate policy in a more pragmatic position
28 March 2024 - 15:29
Armenia’s ruling party affirms unity amidst allegations of “government in exile”
28 March 2024 - 15:14
Armenian opposition media alleges PM Pashinyan plot to remove Russian base
28 March 2024 - 15:00
PKK supporters spark chaos at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris
VIDEO28 March 2024 - 14:49
Media: Terrorists in Moscow attack drugged with psychotropic substances
28 March 2024 - 14:40
Azerbaijani Ombudswoman meets with Armenian residents in Khankendi
28 March 2024 - 14:31