AUGUST
30 – DAY OF MISSING PERSONS
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The
ANC-HCA invited families of missing persons, clergy members,
civil society and government representatives to a commemoration
ceremony at Martyr’s Alley overlooking the Caspian Sea.
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Missing
person—a term that is unfortunately used in our country—is
still applied those whose fates are unknown by their families from
times of conflict. The Azerbaijan National Committee of Helsinki Citizens’
Assembly (ANC-HCA) commemorated and honored the missing on the 30th
of August, the international day of Missing Persons. The ANC-HCA invited
families of missing persons, clergy members, civil society and government
representatives to a commemoration ceremony at Martyr’s Alley
overlooking the Caspian Sea. After putting wreath in front of eternal
fire that burns in the monument and holding a moment of silence, chairwoman
of ANC-HCA, Arzu Abdullayeva gave a speech on the day of missing people
and acknowledged the deep grief of the mothers of missing people.
She also spoke about missing people from the times of Stalin’s
repressions and their terrible fates. At the end she expressed the
hope that all missing people would one day come back and knock the
door of their houses and make happy their mothers whose eyes are still
looking for them with great hope. Participants also shared their feelings
and wished the same desire of return of missing people and gave their
word as citizens to do their bests to settle the conflict and bring
happiness to all hearts.
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During
this silence the sea was so quiet as if it was also sharing
sorrow of all missing people and of those who took their last
sleep in its bottom.
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The
commemoration activity continued with a boat excursion to Nargin Island
where many missing people different periods were shot and thrown to
the sea. This island is one hour far from Baku. On the way back to
Baku, participants threw a wreath and carnations to the sea and held
one minute of silence. During this silence the sea was so quiet as
if it was also sharing sorrow of all missing people and of those who
took their last sleep in its bottom.
After
returning to ANC-HCA, food was served to everybody in the memory of
missing people as a tradition of Islamic religion. The day ended with
discussion in a round table.
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