By order of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, an interdepartmental commission dealing with issues of prisoners of war, hostages and missing persons (whereabouts unknown) was formed on October 20, 2022. Non-governmental organizations submitted applications for inclusion in the commission.
On November 16, a selection of non-governmental organizations that applied to be included in the interdepartmental commission dealing with issues of prisoners of war, hostages and missing persons (whereabouts unknown) took place. Three organizations were selected from among the applicants, one of which was the “Center for International and Comparative Law”.
The head of the center, Siranush Sahakyan, constantly attends the sessions. The interdepartmental committee considers ICLaw as another platform to raise the issue of Armenian hostages held in Baku and keep it on the agenda, with the aim of promoting the process of the return of the captives.
The mission:
The tasks of the Interdepartmental Commission on the Issues of Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons (Whereabouts Unknown) are to organize, within the limits of its competence, the search and return of prisoners of war and missing persons, as well as hostages and missing persons, to cooperate with public and international organizations, to maintain constant contact with family members and relatives of prisoners of war, hostages and missing persons, as well as with interested organizations.
In accordance with its tasks, the Commission:
1) registers prisoners of war and hostages in the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as missing persons.
2) supports the work of the state administration system and local self-government bodies, public organizations and individual citizens (with their consent) in the search, detection and return of prisoners of war, hostages and missing persons.
3) submits proposals to the relevant bodies on propaganda, search and exchange activities on issues of prisoners of war, hostages and missing persons.
4) organizes meetings and conferences with all bodies and international organizations dealing with issues of prisoners of war, hostages and missing persons, as well as participates in similar events held in foreign countries.
5) maintains constant contact with all bodies dealing with issues of prisoners of war, hostages and missing persons (if necessary, also with individual citizens), ensuring the targeted and most effective use of information
6) immediately reports reliable and permissible information to the relatives of prisoners of war, hostages and missing persons, as well as discusses the proposals submitted by them
7) submits proposals to the state administration system and local self-government bodies on providing social support to the families of prisoners of war, hostages and missing persons
The working group operating under the Commission, in addition to meetings with parents, also holds meetings with representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in Armenia.