A regular meeting of the expanded State Commission was held on POWs, hostages and missing citizens at the Center of Culture, Ministry of National Security on September 29. Opening the meeting with introductory remarks, Chairman of the State Commission Eldar Mahmudov presented the new members appointed to the structure by the Order of the President Ilham Aliyev. It was reported that at a meeting of the State Commission there also were presented members of missions of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and UN High Commission for Refugees. Chairman of the commission Eldar Mahmudov noted that since the last meeting of the extended period of international relations of the State Commission, has intensified the search and research actions undertaken in connection with the missing persons. The importance of the proposal of the ICRC signed the Framework Agreement on the program «Ante Mortem» and the realizations of necessary works in this direction were noted.
The Head of the Working Group of the State Commission Firudin Sadigov gave a progress report on activities during the past since the last meeting period. It was noted that representatives of the ICRC held numerous meetings, there were discussed the implementation of obligations under the framework agreement for the collection and centralized management of Ante Mortem-data on persons missing as a result of Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the proposed eliminate differences in the lists of missing persons and more effective cooperation. However, in this period was negotiated for the release of captives and hostages of Azerbaijanis and Armenians.
It was provided with details of the Chairman of the State Commission for the period under review, meetings, committee members’ participation in various international events – Scientific conferences, seminars, symposiums, training courses, etc., to hold in connection with the problem of the discussions prepared by the present structure of science and electronic editions.
It was stressed that the books and CD’s prepared by the State Commission at the London International Book Festival held in April were presented in the British National Library, Parliament and Oxford University.
It was noted that during the reporting period search and research work conducted in connection with the missing persons are constantly in the center of attention. In connection with the refinement of existing data in the commission and the search for missing persons in various government bodies and international organizations were contacted about 1,082 persons. In accordance with requests received from the department work with law enforcement authorities of the Presidential Administration, the data for the lawyers defending the interests of our country in the European Court of Human Rights, have been prepared and submitted in electronic format. Information collected about 932 individuals registered in the Commission and the ICRC as missingm were analyzed, systematized and included in the database. In the Working Group were adopted by appeal to the close relatives of 243 missing persons, they were informed in detail about the work done. Fate of 212 people registered as missing has been found and their names were deleted from the list.
During the reporting period there were freed two captured Azerbaijani soldier captured and held hostage, a civilian, on the opposite side had been received and transferred to the parents for burial the body of one of our dead soldiers.
Opposite side were returned captured in the line of contact 5 of the Armenian soldiers and one civilian. An Armenian soldier, who asked not to return to the territory of the state, through the UN High Commission for Refugees was sent to a third country. It was reported that as of September 1, 1396 people were registered with the State Commission as the liberated captives and hostages.
It was noted that during the reporting period, a number held in the territory of the country’s activities was the focus of the commission, which was the organizer and active participant in these activities. “A round table discussion on” Legal regulation of the issue of missing persons, and conducted with the organizational support of the Ombudsman Office of the International Conference on the theme “Protecting the Rights of the Child in extreme conditions and the role of national human rights institutions were provided with the active participation and by making presentations to the Working Group on an organized committee of the Milli Mejlis on Human Rights. The meeting was also provided with detailed information on taking commission on the subject of documentary and fiction-documentaries produced publications, stressed their importance in the patriotic upbringing of young generation.
It was noted that the dissemination of materials prepared by the State Commission in foreign countries are given special attention. Thus, the collection of materials were distributed to the State Commission in 1700 copies, 10 thousand 380 books 14 names, 24 thousand 730 CD’s 10 items. In addition, operating in the country and abroad, the media, as well as on the official website of the State Commission were regularly distributed on the activities of the commission, the interview on its work, published articles, conducted according to the report focused work to the public the truth about genocide, ethnic cleansing, vandalism, war, hostages and missing persons. Using the Internet network, with international organizations and news agencies conducted a regular correspondence, addressed to them were sent relevant materials, including video and Photofact.
Speakers at the discussion on the report of the committee members Bekir Nabiev, Yagub Mahmudov, Rabiyat Aslanov, and Khalaf Khalafov recognized the work of a satisfactory structure, noted that the work is important; it is perceived in a society with a grateful heart and to arouse interest from the international community.
Speaking at the meeting, the head of the ICRC in Azerbaijan Tun Vandenhuv stressed that the structure was provided between them and the State Commission formed relations of close cooperation. Noting that the collection of data on prisoners of war, hostages and missing persons is a very complex process, the ICRC expressed its appreciation to the relevant authorities of Azerbaijan to provide in this case support.
In accordance with the agenda of the meeting the head of the joint operational-investigative group of the General Prosecutor’s Office, Ministries of Interior and National Security Mehman Poladov made speech with detailed information about the work being done. M. Poladov noted that the joint operational-investigative group established by 12 December 2003 to investigate crimes of genocide and other serious crimes against Azerbaijanis in the occupied by the armed forces of Armenia of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and its surrounding areas continued to investigative activities . As a result of the investigation there were handed down the decision to prosecute as defendants a large number of persons of Armenian nationality who have committed serious crimes and violence, according to court decisions against them to preventive measures in the form of arrest, in connection with such searches in the National Bureau of Interpol sent the relevant documents. Substantive information was provided to the specific facts of the crimes of genocide committed by Armenian armed forces against the local population in the town of Khojaly and other settlements.
It was noted that Azerbaijani legislation does not provide the prosecution for being in captivity, and by this time in connection with these facts, none of the soldiers released from captivity, was prosecuted. Only persons who have committed specific crimes and actions which are fully substantiated investigation are to be held criminally liable and brought to justice.
Then the current issues were discussed at the meeting. There were discussions on the perpetuation of the memory untimely death of a member of the commission, Professor Rovshan Mustafayev. Secretary of the State Commission Shahin Sayil brought to the attention of the proposals on the subject. Members of the committee Rabiyat Aslanova, Bekir Nabiev, Khalaf Khalafov, Ismail Omarov, Elmar Gasimov and Novruzali Aslanov spoke about the socio-political and scientific activity of Rovshan Mustafayev, described him as a true patriot, a tireless scientist an outstanding philosopher and political scientist. It was noted targeted research conducted under the direction of R. Mustafayev that Armenian terrorism, which is part of international terrorism and has taken an ethnic Armenians corporations pose a serious threat to peace and stability, human rights and freedoms, printed in various languages scholarly works held scientific conferences are important. At the meeting it was decided to make the relevant proposals in order to perpetuate the memory of R. Mustafayev. At the meeting of the State Commission Order “Flag of Azerbaijan”, which according to the presidential decree, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev was awarded with Farhad Rahman oglu Atakishiyev (posthumously), as requested by the Head of State Committee Chairman Eldar Mahmudov gave the family martyr. Eldar Mahmudov said: Heroism of Atakishiyev Farhad, who died for the independence and territorial integrity of our Republic, was highly appreciated by the head of state. Our people are convinced that through strong and principled policy of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of our occupied lands will be liberated and the displaced to return to their homes. The mother of the hero – Dilara Atakishiyeva expressed to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, chairman of the committee members and appreciation for their attention and care.
Finally, a presentation of film «Qarabağdır Azərbaycan», on the Azerbaijani soldiers, who, being in Armenian captivity, showed heroism.
AzerTAg
