Clarifying fate of missing persons will lay groundwork for long-term stability in South Caucasus

Clarifying the fate of missing persons will create an important basis for long-term stability and peace in the South Caucasus, Member of the Milli Majlis Committee on Legal Policy and State Building Nurlan Hasanov told Report.

He emphasized that Article IX of the “Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia,” initialed in Washington on August 8, obliges both sides to take measures to address the issue of missing persons and enforced disappearances related to the armed conflict involving both parties, including the exchange of all available information about these individuals.

According to the MP, this provision clearly shows that Azerbaijan has the right to obtain information held by Armenia.

“This provision also provides for the possibility of establishing accountability for serious crimes committed during the conflict, conducting an objective investigation of events, and punishing the guilty,” Hasanov noted.

He added that ensuring justice for missing persons through the necessary investigative measures is one of the factors of sustainable peace after the 30-year conflict, both from a humanitarian and political perspective: “Clarifying the fate of innocent victims and fostering mutual recognition of responsibility will create an important foundation for long-term stability and peace in the South Caucasus.”