BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 8. A
panel session titled "Addressing issues related to missing persons
in peace processes: humanitarian cooperation and
confidence-building measures" was held as part of the 4th
International Conference on Missing Persons (Baku Dialogue) in Baku
today.


Speaking at the panel session, a member of the
Türkiye-Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, Uğur
Bayraktutan, said that it’s inconceivable for Türkiye to ignore the
humanitarian challenges facing Azerbaijan.


"A crucial aspect of the work being carried out in Azerbaijan is
the development of scientific and institutional capacity. The
collection of biological samples from families, DNA profiling, the
investigation of burial sites, the application of forensic methods,
and coordination among various state agencies are mutually
complementary factors in determining the fate of missing persons."
"The issue of missing persons must be addressed primarily within a
humanitarian framework and through cooperation at the highest
level," he noted.


Former Montenegrin Defense Minister Milica Pejanović-Đurišić
noted that the issue of missing persons cannot be approached solely
through the lens of politics or academic discussion.


"More than 30 years have passed since the wars of the 1990s.
Yet, for many families in our region, the war has not truly been
left in the past. It continues to manifest in a deeply personal and
painful way through unanswered questions regarding the fate of
their loved ones.


For a family awaiting the truth, there is often no certainty;
consequently, it becomes impossible to find closure or put an end
to this pain," she added.


A lawyer at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Muhammad Sohail
Sajid, emphasized that practical cooperation remains the primary
recourse for the families involved.


"In this sense, humanitarian cooperation is also a form of
justice, and justice is one of the fundamental pillars on the path
to peace," he said.


President of the National Commission on Missing Persons,
Mohammad Reda Jalkhi, added that Karabakh, part of Azerbaijan's
internationally recognized territory, was once under
occupation.







"One of the most painful realities of this conflict is the fate
of the thousands of missing persons. More than 4,000 Azerbaijanis
are considered missing. Behind each of these figures stands a
family: a mother still watching the road for a return, a father
still awaiting answers, and a child growing up without knowing what
happened to their parents.


Therefore, the issue of missing persons cannot be viewed merely
as a matter of statistics. It’s a matter of human dignity, justice,
and law," he said.


The conference is being held, organized by Azerbaijan’s State
Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons.


Former heads of state and government, senior officials from
international organizations and foreign countries, heads of
institutions working on missing-person cases, experts,
representatives of non-governmental organizations and human rights
specialists, as well as ambassadors and military attachés
accredited in Azerbaijan, are attending the event.


One of the key focuses of this year’s discussions is building
and strengthening trust among the parties.


The conference aims not only to facilitate discussions but also
to contribute to establishing practical and sustainable mechanisms
that strengthen trust and cooperation, ensure families’ right to
know the truth, facilitate information exchange and expand the use
of modern forensic, DNA and technological capabilities.


The event will continue through Oct. 10.