Armenian Ombudsperson’s statement on International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances

Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Anahit Manasyan, has released a statement on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

The statement was published on social media:

“August 30 is commemorated as the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

“Enforced disappearance is one of the most serious and long-lasting problems affecting human rights, the consequences of which are felt not only during conflicts, but also after them, continuously disrupting the peaceful and dignified lives of forcibly disappeared persons and their families.

“Unfortunately, even today the fate of numerous individuals across the world remains unknown. Over the years, we have documented and presented to various international stakeholders and competent national authorities the issues related to violations of the rights of persons whose whereabouts have remained unknown since the 1990s, the 44-day hostilities and the events of September 2023, the forced displacement of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as issues related to the violations of the rights of their families, sending a message to all that these issues are among the most urgent.

“As the Human Rights Defender, I particularly emphasize that every single case of enforced disappearance has a direct impact on the entire system of human rights.

“One of the important messages of this day is a clear reminder to states to respect the right of every family to know the truth about the fate of their relatives and to make every possible effort in this regard. Likewise, international actors, within the framework of their respective mandates, must employ all possible means to support the establishment of truth and to ensure the full restoration and protection of the rights of the affected families.

“I am convinced that joint efforts are essential to ensure that the fate of every person is determined, and that their families are always under the care and support of the state, and are never left alone," Manasyan said.