Baku: The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is considering deploying archaeologists to Azerbaijan as part of efforts to locate missing persons, as indicated during a recent presentation of the “Assessment Report: Accounting for Missing Persons in the Republic of Azerbaijan.” The event was organized by the State Commission for Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons, and Carmen Osorno, Program Operations Manager of ICMP, highlighted Azerbaijan’s commitment to addressing the issue of missing persons.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Osorno emphasized that ICMP is the only foreign international organization dedicated specifically to the issue of missing persons, contrasting its focused mandate with that of the Red Cross. She pointed out that the activities of Azerbaijan’s State Commission align well with ICMP’s mission. The presented report includes several recommendations, and Osorno noted that 64 countries have ratified the relevant Convention to date. ICMP is keen on exploring Azerbaijan’s capabilities in identifying missing persons and anticipates involving its archaeologists and anthropologists in the process. The organization stresses the importance of enhancing cooperation, especially between Azerbaijan and Armenia, noting past successes in the Western Balkans.

Osorno expressed ICMP’s intent to reach an agreement on the project plan’s preparation and execution. She underscored the importance of engaging with the families of missing persons and organizing visits to ICMP organizations to advance the mission. The ICMP aims to facilitate a comprehensive approach to resolving the issue of missing persons in Azerbaijan through these collaborative efforts.