Nearly 5,000 people are reported missing as a result of the Karabakh conflict, with approximately 1,000 of them being Armenians, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This issue remains one of the primary operational priorities for the ICRC in the region.
Zara Amatuni, the head of communication programs for the ICRC delegation in Armenia, told “Armenpress” that the organization’s mission focuses on two key directions in addressing the fate of missing persons.
First, the ICRC works to remind the parties involved of their obligations under international humanitarian law to provide answers to the families of missing persons. The organization collaborates with relevant authorities to ensure these responsibilities are fulfilled, offering technical support and sharing expertise gained from similar cases worldwide.
Second, the ICRC gathers comprehensive data about missing individuals. “Through our offices in the region, we have collected information on approximately 5,000 missing persons linked to escalations of the conflict since the 1990s and more recently between 2020 and 2023. Around 1,000 of these individuals are Armenians, with data collected through our offices in Yerevan and Artsakh (Karabakh),” said Amatuni.
However, some families do not accept positive DNA identification results due to various reasons. The ICRC engages with these families to understand their concerns and supports authorities in clarifying the results.
Amatuni emphasized that the ICRC does not perform identifications itself; this responsibility lies with the relevant state authorities and institutions. The ICRC focuses on enhancing professional capabilities, working closely with forensic laboratories through training, technical assistance, and experience-sharing.
The ICRC also offers its services as a neutral intermediary to facilitate cooperation between conflicting parties. For example, it can assist in mapping potential burial sites and creating a humanitarian environment where collaborative efforts can take place.
“We keep this issue alive, actively working with both authorities and families. However, the decisions and actions are not in our hands. We stand ready to support if the parties are willing to collaborate,” concluded Amatuni.