UN adopts resolution on "Missing Persons": Azerbaijan among principal co-sponsors

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons of Azerbaijan have issued a joint statement following the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the resolution on “Missing Persons”.

Thus, on November 15, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee adopted Resolution A/C.3/79/L.35 on “Missing Persons” by consensus, Caliber.Az reports via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The resolution, which has been reintroduced biannually since 2002, was co-sponsored by 56 UN member states, with Azerbaijan being a principal co-sponsor.

The resolution highlights the devastating impact of missing persons, particularly in the context of armed conflicts, noting that it "inflicts grievous suffering on families and negatively impacts efforts to end conflicts." It also underscores the importance of holding accountable those who violate international humanitarian and human rights law concerning missing persons.

The resolution calls on states engaged in armed conflict to take all necessary measures to prevent individuals from going missing, ensure proper investigations into their whereabouts, and determine their fate. For the first time, this year’s resolution also addresses the challenges posed by landmines, which hinder efforts to locate missing persons. It urges states to cooperate in ensuring the safe search for human remains.

The issue of missing persons remains a high priority for Azerbaijan. As a result of Armenia's aggression in the early 1990s, up to 4,000 Azerbaijanis, including civilians, women, and children, went missing. Additionally, six Azerbaijani citizens were reported missing during the 2020 Patriotic War.

Since 2023, Azerbaijan has organised international conferences to raise global awareness about the issue. The Declaration from the international conference on "Addressing the Problem of Missing Persons: Upholding the Right to Know for the Families," which was jointly organised by the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons of Azerbaijan and the International Committee of the Red Cross on 2-3 October 2024 in Baku, has been formally adopted as both a UN General Assembly and Security Council document.

Despite technological advancements that have improved the efficiency of identifying and searching for missing persons, global statistics reveal a sharp rise in the number of missing individuals, with the number now exceeding 212,000. This highlights the continued relevance of the UN General Assembly’s resolution on "Missing Persons" in addressing a pressing global issue.

Azerbaijan remains committed to strengthening international cooperation to resolve the issue of missing persons, ensuring that efforts to address this humanitarian crisis are a global priority.

By Aghakazim Guliyev