UN ready to assist in searching for Azerbaijanis missing in Karabakh war Secretary-General says

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said that the UN is fully prepared to assist in the search for Azerbaijanis missing in the Karabakh conflict.

In an interview with Report, Guterres expressed the UN's readiness to support governments in locating missing people, regardless of the circumstances or reasons behind their disappearance, Caliber.Az informs.

"We are deeply concerned about the situation where people go missing, and their families endure great suffering. We will do our best, within the cooperation, to work on locating the missing or clarifying the circumstances of their disappearance," Guterres emphasised.

The UN secretary-general also addressed the issue of landmine contamination in Azerbaijan's territories.

"The UN Development Programme is actively supporting the Azerbaijani government. Joint demining efforts have already benefited 350,000 people. Mines, of course, are something that should not exist. We have no doubt about this. We fully support the Azerbaijani government in its demining efforts, because it is crucial for people to return to their houses and for the development and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This work is essential for all the important projects that the government can implement for the benefit of its population," he added.

A group representing families of those missing from the First Karabakh War recently toured Aghdam, Khojaly, Khankendi, and Shusha, reiterating their call for justice and information about their loved ones.

The "Qarabağ İtkin Ailələri" (Karabakh Missing Families) public association organised the visit, which included 40 family members.

Throughout the visit, the group appealed to international organisations via media, urging the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the global community to provide details on the missing.

The group emphasised their desire to know the burial sites of missing family members so they may eventually pay respects.

By Naila Huseynova