“August 30 is commemorated as the International Day of
the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
Enforced disappearance is one of the most serious and long-lasting
problems affecting human rights, the consequences of which are felt not only
during conflicts, but also after them, continuously disrupting the peaceful and
dignified lives of forcibly disappeared persons and their families.
Unfortunately, even today the fate of numerous
individuals across the world remains unknown. Over the years, we have
documented and presented to various international stakeholders and competent
national authorities the issues related to violations of the rights of persons
whose whereabouts have remained unknown since the 1990s, the 44-day hostilities
and the events of September 2023, the forced displacement of Armenians from
Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as issues related to the violations of the rights of
their families, sending a message to all that these issues are among the most
urgent.
As the Human Rights Defender, I particularly emphasize
that every single case of enforced disappearance has a direct impact on the
entire system of human rights.
One of the important messages of this day is a clear
reminder to states to respect the right of every family to know the truth about
the fate of their relatives and to make every possible effort in this regard.
Likewise, international actors, within the framework of their respective mandates,
must employ all possible means to support the establishment of truth and to
ensure the full restoration and protection of the rights of the affected
families.
I am convinced that joint efforts are essential to ensure
that the fate of every person is determined, and that their families are always
under the care and support of the state, and are never left alone”.
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