Brussels: A coalition of Azerbaijani non-governmental organizations has sent an open letter to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Ant³nio Costa, President of the European Council, and other leaders attending the 8th European Political Community Summit and the EU-Armenia Summit. The letter urges them to support the peace and normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, while also addressing significant humanitarian issues.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the letter highlights critical humanitarian challenges, including missing persons and landmine contamination, which have persisted since the First Garabagh War. Nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis, including children, women, and elderly individuals, remain missing, with strong evidence suggesting they were victims of war crimes. The NGOs emphasize that Armenia has not provided information on these individuals or the locations of mass graves, leaving their families in prolonged distress.

The letter reveals that 32 mass graves have been discovered since Azerbaijani territories were liberated in 2020, with the remains of 91 individuals identified and buried. Some Armenian field commanders reportedly hold information on additional mass grave locations, and the NGOs urge European leaders to press Armenia for this crucial information.

Landmine contamination is identified as another urgent issue, with over 400 deaths and injuries reported since the end of the Second Garabagh War in 2020. Armenia's lack of accurate and complete minefield maps is cited as a factor impeding reconstruction efforts in Garabagh and East Zangezur regions, hindering the safe return of internally displaced persons.

The letter calls on European leaders to encourage Armenia to release information on missing Azerbaijanis and provide accurate minefield maps. These actions are proposed as confidence-building measures that could contribute to lasting peace in the region. The Azerbaijani NGOs express hope that European leaders will use their upcoming visit to Armenia to demonstrate a commitment to resolving these humanitarian challenges.

The letter is signed by representatives from 35 Azerbaijani NGOs, reflecting a broad spectrum of civil society voices advocating for peace and humanitarian resolution.