Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan issued the following statement today to mark International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

Today, August 30, is International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. Unfortunately, due to the war in September-November 2020, we had many missing people among our compatriots and the search for them is still ongoing.

The open politicization of humanitarian and human rights issues by the Azerbaijani authorities, the non-disclosure of the real number of prisoners, led to additional deprivation and additional mental suffering.

Many people have been forcibly disappeared, killed and tortured as a result of Azerbaijan's anti-Armenian policy, about which there is undeniable factual evidence.

At the same time, our state must make every effort to carry out the effective and fast DNA exams of the bodies. While there are also objective factors in prolonging the process, but the correct organization of communication with families in that process can alleviate the additional psychological suffering of families.

We must all realize that behind the name of every missing person lies a family pain and misery, an endless wait of parents for their children.

Within the purview of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, we are taking all necessary steps to promote the guarantee of human rights.