Azerbaijani families urge international action in search for missing First Karabakh War victims

A group of 40 relatives of those missing from the First Karabakh War travelled to key liberated areas, including Aghdam, Khojaly, Khankendi, and Shusha, as part of a journey organized by the "Qarabağ İtkin Ailələri" public association.

The trip aimed to highlight the ongoing search for answers about the fate of their loved ones, who disappeared during the conflict, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

During the visit, the families appealed to international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), urging them to intensify their efforts in pressing Armenia for information on the missing Azerbaijani citizens.

The group expressed frustration that international bodies have not taken sufficient steps to investigate the whereabouts of their relatives, accusing them of not seriously demanding such information from Armenia.

A recurring theme throughout the visit was the perceived lack of accountability for war crimes committed against Azerbaijanis. The families noted that none of the individuals responsible for these atrocities have been brought to justice in Armenia. Instead, many of them have been celebrated as heroes. The families stressed that if Armenia genuinely seeks peace with Azerbaijan, it must unequivocally condemn the crimes committed against Azerbaijani prisoners and hostages while ensuring that the perpetrators are held accountable.

One significant suggestion raised by the families was the establishment of a UN special rapporteur for missing persons, underscoring the global nature of this humanitarian issue.

The trip included visits to the Martyrs' Alleys in Aghdam and Khojaly, where remains of those who had been missing for decades were recently found in mass graves and identified after 30 years. The families also visited restoration and reconstruction efforts underway in Khankendi and took commemorative photos in Shusha, including a stop at the iconic Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque.

The group praised the Azerbaijani government's ongoing efforts to uncover the fate of the missing, pointing out that the remains of 155 people had recently been discovered in mass graves. However, they reiterated the need for increased international support in addressing the lingering questions surrounding the missing persons.

By Khagan Isayev