The Problems of Missing Persons in South Caucasus

On November 24-25th, 2006, a regional conference on “The Problems of Missing Persons in South Caucasus” was held in Vanadzor.


It has already been four years that HCA South Caucasus network and its partners have implemented a project directed at finding a solution for the problem of missing persons. The conference was devoted firstly to the presentation of current problems and activities that have been implemented in this sphere; and, secondly, to the involvement of new partners in the development out future steps. The conference was attended by partner organizations of HCA South Caucasus (Georgia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, and Armenia) and NGOs dealing with the problems of missing persons from South Caucasus (Armenian Fund „Against Violation of Law”, NGOs „People’s Harmonious Development Society”, „Union of Missing Persons of RA”, Georgian organization „Molodini”). Representatives of ICRC in Yerevan and relatives of missing persons also participated.

The participants discussed European and international mechanisms (Geneva and UN mechanisms) regulating the problems of missing persons, they also presented the legislations of their countries and the shortcomings of the laws.

The coordinator of HCA Vanadzor, Arthur Sakunts, spoke about the law “On Information Bureau of Missing Persons”, which was worked out by his organization. He also talked about the ways that HCA Vanadzor is lobbying for this law.

Larissa Alaverdyan, the head of the foundation “Against Violation of Law,” attached importance to the involvement of international structures in the search for missing persons, and the existence of a joint information database. She expressed hope that NGOs engaged in this field will coordinate their activities and be in agreement with each other.

Kiara Traverso, the representative of ICRC, shared the opinion of Larissa Alaverdyan. “In connection with the creation of a common information database, we intend to do research in Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan and to pass our data to the governments of those countries,” she mentioned.

Nineli Andreadze, the head of the Georgian organization “Molodini,” presented their experience of working with state structures. She also spoke about the involvement of NGOs and relatives of missing persons in the state commission of missing persons.

Nato Chubinadze, the representative of HCA Georgian National Committee, presented a concept on how to prevent kidnappings and other forms of disappearances in Georgia. The concept was worked out by their organization.

Sargis Galstyan and Lyudmila Grigoryan, representatives from “Helsinki Initiative ‘92”, Khamis Masimov, the head of HCA Kazakh, presented work carried out in their countries directed at the problems of missing persons.

Based on current problems and the experience of the participants the following was worked out during the conference:
գ A joint resolution addressed to the governments of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, as well as UN, Council of Europe, OSCE, ICRC, where the participants demand from them to pay attention to the problems of missing persons and forced disappearances.
գ A joint program of future steps in the direction of the problems of missing persons and forced disappearances.
Download conference resolution in Russian

Download future steps worked out during the conference in Russian

  The conference was implemented within the framework of the project “Yellow Tulips” with support from Interchurch Peace Council (IKV, the Netherlands).
  Please contact to Armine Sadikyan for more details on the conference.

Address: Tigran Mets 59, Vanadzor, Armenia
Tel: 0322 4 22 68
E-mail: hcav@hcav.am