Azerbaijani Ambassador Addresses UNGA Talks on Missing Persons
Azerbaijan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Tofig Musayev, recently addressed the General Assembly on the important issue of missing persons. He highlighted the significant impact of missing individuals on families and communities, especially in conflict zones.
Musayev emphasized that Azerbaijan takes pride in being the author and initiator of the biennial resolution on Missing Persons of the General Assembly, which has been adopted by consensus since 2004. The resolution has helped shine a light on the plight of missing persons and has mandated important discussions on this pressing issue.
Since the early 1990s, approximately 4,000 Azerbaijani citizens have gone missing as a result of Armenian aggression and occupation. Among the missing are 774 civilians, including women, elderly individuals, and children. The fate of these individuals remains unknown, causing immense pain and uncertainty for their loved ones.
In his address, Musayev also mentioned the discovery of mass burial sites in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, where the remains of 120 people have been identified and returned to their families. These findings not only provide closure to families but also reveal the deliberate killing of civilians during the conflict.
Furthermore, Azerbaijan is actively pursuing justice for crimes committed against humanity during the conflict and is determined to hold perpetrators accountable. Despite ongoing challenges, the country continues to advocate for the rights of victims and their families, urging international cooperation and adherence to the principle of zero tolerance for impunity.
The ambassador’s remarks underscore the urgent need for concrete actions to clarify the fate of missing persons and ensure accountability for those responsible for their disappearance. By addressing this issue, the international community can help bring closure and justice to the families of missing individuals in conflict zones like Azerbaijan.
