Armenia doesn't provide Azerbaijan with information on location of mass graves

"The liberation of Azerbaijani territories has created new opportunities in the search for missing persons. Mass graves were discovered in Edilli and Farrukh. Secondly, the conflict is over and Azerbaijan is negotiating with Armenia regarding missing persons. The issue of missing persons was also included in the agenda of the negotiations in Brussels," Habib Mikayilli, head of the sector for work with international organizations at the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, said at the "Identification of Missing Persons - Humanitarian Approach" conference dedicated to August 30, the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Report informs.

According to him, Armenia does not provide information on the location of mass graves because it is afraid that cases related to the mass killing of missing persons could be characterized as a war crime:

"The mine problem also prevents the investigation of these issues. Next month, steps will be taken in this area together with the ICRC. It is also necessary to use forensic medical expertise in this field. The ICRC's joint mechanism with Azerbaijan and Armenia can be effective in this field."

Habib Mikayilli noted that the ICRC registered 37 missing Azerbaijanis, but the further fate of these persons is currently unknown:

"I call on the ICRC to investigate these issues. The UN may have a special rapporteur in this field. This person can deal with the issue of missing persons not only in Azerbaijan and Armenia but in the world as a whole."

Habib Mikayil pointed out that sincere cooperation between Azerbaijan and Armenia in this field can be the most effective way.