1.
The conference “Loss…Hope” took place
2.
Georgian mothers passed their experience and skills to the Armenian
sharing their fate
3.
The Legal Status of Missing Persons Is under Discussion
4.
Meeting with Families of the Victims of Artsakh War
5.
“Hope Dies Last”
August 30 is the International Day of Missing Persons
6. The Situation of Alternative Service in Lori Region
7. “The Problems of Missing Persons in South Caucasus ”
The Problems of Missing Persons in South Caucasus
On November 24-25th, 2006, a regional conference on “The Problems of Missing Persons in South Caucasus” was held in Vanadzor.
It has already been four years that HCA South Caucasus network and its partners have implemented a project directed at finding a solution for the problem of missing persons. The conference was devoted firstly to the presentation of current problems and activities that have been implemented in this sphere; and, secondly, to the involvement of new partners in the development out future steps. The conference was attended by partner organizations of HCA South Caucasus (Georgia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, and Armenia) and NGOs dealing with the problems of missing persons from South Caucasus (Armenian Fund „Against Violation of Law”, NGOs „People's Harmonious Development Society”, „Union of Missing Persons of RA”, Georgian organization „Molodini”). Representatives of ICRC in Yerevan and relatives of missing persons also participated.
The participants discussed European and international mechanisms (Geneva and UN mechanisms) regulating the problems of missing persons, they also presented the legislations of their countries and the shortcomings of the laws.
The coordinator of HCA Vanadzor, Arthur Sakunts, spoke about the law “On Information Bureau of Missing Persons”, which was worked out by his organization. He also talked about the ways that HCA Vanadzor is lobbying for this law.
Larissa Alaverdyan, the head of the foundation “Against Violation of Law,” attached importance to the involvement of international structures in the search for missing persons, and the existence of a joint information database. She expressed hope that NGOs engaged in this field will coordinate their activities and be in agreement with each other.
Kiara Traverso, the representative of ICRC, shared the opinion of Larissa Alaverdyan. “In connection with the creation of a common information database, we intend to do research in Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan and to pass our data to the governments of those countries,” she mentioned.
Nineli Andreadze, the head of the Georgian organization “Molodini,” presented their experience of working with state structures. She also spoke about the involvement of NGOs and relatives of missing persons in the state commission of missing persons.
Nato Chubinadze, the representative of HCA Georgian National Committee, presented a concept on how to prevent kidnappings and other forms of disappearances in Georgia. The concept was worked out by their organization.
Sargis Galstyan and Lyudmila Grigoryan, representatives from “Helsinki Initiative ‘92”, Khamis Masimov, the head of HCA Kazakh, presented work carried out in their countries directed at the problems of missing persons.
Based on current problems and the experience of the participants the following was worked out during the conference:
· A joint resolution addressed to the governments of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, as well as UN, Council of Europe, OSCE, ICRC, where the participants demand from them to pay attention to the problems of missing persons and forced disappearances.
· A joint program of future steps in the direction of the problems of missing persons and forced disappearances.
The conference was implemented within the framework of the project “Yellow Tulips” with support from Interchurch Peace Council (IKV, the Netherlands).
Please contact to Armine Sadikyan for more details on the conference.
Address: Tigran Mets 59, Vanadzor, Armenia
Tel: 0322 4 22 68
E-mail: hcav@hcav.am
Press Release
“The Problems of Missing Persons in South Caucasus ”
(Regional Conference, Vanadzor, November 24-25, 2006 )
The regional conference “The Problems of Missing Persons” will take place in Vanadzor, on November 24-25, 2006 (“Argishti” hotel, Batumi 3).
Our Azeri partners, representatives from HCA Georgian National Committee, “Helsinki Initiative ‘92” of Nagorno Karabakh, Georgian Fund “Molodini”, Juridical department of RA Ministry of Defence, International Klassen Group, dealing with the issues of missing persons, ICRC, NGOs and relatives of missing persons are invited to the conference.
During the conference, the partners of Azerbaijan , Georgia and Armenia will present the following issues.
- The results of the activities implemented within the project “Yellow Tulips”
- The situation of getting information on whereabouts and destiny of missing persons
- Implementation of Geneva mechanisms on the problems of missing persons in national legislation
It is foreseen to prepare the following materials as a result of the conference:
- A resolution on the problems of missing persons addressed to state governments and international structures
- Suggestions on the report of the CE representative on the problems of missing persons
- Further steps in the direction of the problems of missing persons
Since 2001 HCA Vanadzor has been implementing joint projects on peacebuilding, on solving the problems of missing persons with the organizations of South Caucasus HCA network.
It is already three years that HCA Vanadzor, HCA Georgian and Azerbaijan National Committees, “Helsinki Initiative ‘92” of Nagorno Karabakh, HCA Ganja implement the project “Yellow Tulips” directed to the problems of missing persons with support from Dutch organization Interchurch Peace Council (IKV).
For details you can apply to Armine Sadikyan, office of HCA Vanadzor
Address: Tigran Mets 59, Vanadzor , Armenia
Tel:+ 374 322 4 22 68
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The Situation of Alternative Service in Lori Region
On October 11th, 2006 the first round table on “The Situation of Alternative Service in Lori Region” took place in the office of HCA Vanadzor. The round table was organized within the framework of the project Yellow Tulips, which is supported by Interchurch Peace Council (IKV, the Netherlands ) and implemented by HCA Vanadzor.
Representatives from the Vanadzor military commissariat, NGOs, mass media and students participated in the discussion.
The coordinator of HCA Vanadzor, Arthur Sakunts, presented the participants the principles of the law “On Alternative Service” and those points that do not correspond to international standards. Particularly, by the adoption of the law, such an important principle as the duration of the alternative service was violated. The RA law defines 36 months for alternative civil service, 42 months for alternative military service, whereas 24 months are foreseen for usual military service. Additionally, citizens who choose alternative service should not be under the control of military structures during the whole course of service. The law is unclear on how one can choose alternative service, and thus does not present it effectively as an alternative to normal military service. It also does not provide mechanisms for the protection of their rights, even though it has already been in effect for two years.
The coordinator of the juridical department of HCA Vanadzor, Karen Tumanyan presented his findings on the implementation of the law “On Alternative Service”, the results of monitoring carried out by the organization. The investigation of HCA Vanadzor shows that the men who chose alternative service were treated in a discriminatory way, thus their rights have been violated. Particularly, they are not paid the same as regular soldiers. The jobs done by the alternative service men (cleaning of sanitary system, treatment of dead bodies, etc.) are humiliating and an attack on human dignity. During the service, they were controlled by members of the military police and the military, people who treated them without respect.
A representative of the organization “Jehovah's Witnesses” of Vanadzor was also invited to the discussion but he refused to participate on the grounds that he did not have authorization and that he was not completely informed of the problem.
Aren Sargsyan, the head of the recruitment group of Vanadzor military commissariat, said that due to lack of experience, they are unable to evaluate the implementation of the law “On Alternative Service”, an evaluation that could have aided in the improvement of the law. At the same time, Mr. Sargsyan referred to some provisions of the law that do not promote its proper implementation. Particularly, what type of work qualifies as alternative service is not specified, and this leads to ambiguity in the rights and responsibilities of those who choose it. Mr. Sargsyan formulated in his speech the following rhetorical question “What has the military commissariat to do with the alternative service?” mentioning that such issues should be solved by an entirely different structure – a non-military structure – that could specialize in such issues. In his speech, he mentioned that one person applied to them for alternative service this year, but he applied past the deadline (September 3). In a formal legal sense, the right of this citizen to choose alternative service can be rejected.
The participants of the discussion attached importance to the provision on the necessity of the military commissariat to be informed in all areas of recruitment, including deadlines and documents required for alternative service. In response, the representative of the commissariat stated that on the one hand, they did not have such obligations; and on the other hand, the budget did not provide financial support.
During the discussion, the law “On Alternative Service” was observed as one of the important directions for the improvement in military forces. At the same time, it was mentioned that its observation apart from the general improvements of military forces could bring wrong comments on the institute of alternative service.
The participants referred to the importance of the law once again in connection with the right to conscience, faith and religion. The discussion showed that society did not have an adequate perception towards the institute of alternative service. Neither state nor public intolerance towards those who choose alternative service has yet been overcome.
Cooperation with state bodies was deemed important for the improvement of the law “On Alternative Service” and its implementation.
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The
conference “Loss…Hope” took place
On
August 30 Helsinki Citizens` Assembly Vanadzor office organized a
conference in the Business Centre of the American University. The
coordinator of the organization Arthur Sakunts presented the problems
of missing persons to the parents and relatives of the missing persons,
NGOs and different media outlets. it was not the first time that the
parents of missing persons have met, discussed these problems. But
they think that these meetings will not have any serious results without
state intervention. The representatives of the ministry of defense,
Standing Committee on Defence, National Security and Internal Affairs
did not participate in the meeting.
“Many
people don`t know anything about the problem of missing persons. Before
this meeting I didn`t know either. This discussion will give the opportunity
to popularize it . I am sure that your guestions will not remain without
answers”,-Georgi Vanyan, the head of “Caucasus Centre
Peace-making Initiatives” expressed his opinion.
It
is already two years that HCA Vanadzor office implements the project
“Yellow Tulips” in cooperation with Interchurch Peace
Council and HCA South Caucasus network. Just at the beginning of the
project HCA Vanadzor office tried to know the exact number of the
missing persons of the Karabakh conflict from the ministry of defence.
There is know any answer till now. According to the study of the organization
18 people are missing from Lori and Taush regions. In the result of
the study a database has been established. The legal department of
the organization worked out the draft law on “Missing Person”
to move the problems of missing persons to a legal level. Taking into
consideration the experience of the organization and the implemented
work, during the meeting Arthur Sakunts mentioned that it was impossible
to solve the problems of missing persons at national level. There
is the necessity of regional cooperation. “We`ll continue the
regional cooperation and even in an imperfect legal field we`ll support
the parents and relatives of missing persons”,- the coordinator
of the organization mentioned. Soon, for discussing this problem again,
Georgian organization “Expectation” will meet with the
relatives of missing persons in Armenia and Azerbaijan.
For
more information you can apply to Helsinki Citizens` Assembly Vanadzor
office
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Georgian
mothers passed their experience and skills to the Armenian sharing
their fate
Such a meeting has never been organized in Armenia.
In Armenia it was not the first time that the relatives of missing
persons of the Karabakh war met and talked about their common pain,
but it was the first time they met and got familiar with the experience
of other countries.
The Georgian “Molodini” (“Expectation”) Foundation,
that worked on search, discovery and re-burial of the missing Georgian
and Abkhaz soldiers, presented the relatives of Armenian missing persons
the first steps of finding them, the methods and mechanisms of cooperation
with the conflicting side.
During the four-day meeting the representatives of “Molodini”
foundation Nineli Andriadze and Ketevan Gabroshvili presented the
experience of mapping the graves, methods of creating database on
missing persons and their further appliance. The involvement of state
structures and international organization in finding the missing persons
was considered important. The representatives of “Molodini”
foundation were invited by HCA Vanadzor office.
“Our
goal is to pass the Georgian experience to the other regions of the
South Caucasus which will give the possibility to increase the effectiveness
of protection of missing persons and their families’ rights
and interests” ,-says Arthur Sakunts, the coordinator of HCA
Vanadzor office.
The meeting of the relatives of missing persons of the Karabakh and
Georgian-Abkhazian war was organized by HCA Vanadzor office within
the framework of the regional project “Yellow Tulips”,
implemented with the support of Interchurch Peace Council (IKV, the
Netherlands). It aimed at getting familiar the relatives of Armenian
missing soldiers with the experience of Georgian relatives, supporting
them to initiate finding missing persons with the involvement of state
structures. Such seminars will be organized also in Stepanakert, Ganja
and Baku.
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The
Legal Status of Missing Persons Is under Discussion
On
December 10, 2004 the discussion of the “Law on Missing Persons”
took place in Vanadzor with the initiative of HCA Vanadzor office.
The
members of Parliament, the representatives of the interested NGOs
and relatives of missing persons expressed their observations on the
draft law.
In
the result of the investigations of our organization it was cleared
up that national legislation does not have any document which defines
the legal status of missing persons of the military actions. Moreover,
the circumstances of missing persons’ disappearance in the result
of military actions remain unexplained.
The draft law worked out by our initiative is a document defining
legal status for the missing persons of the military actions. It defines
the rights and responsibilities of the state in the search, discovery
and taking back of the missing persons.
The law aims at:
• protecting the rights of missing persons during the armed
conflicts
• giving the relatives the possibility to get information about
their missing one
• working out mechanisms for social, economic and legal protection
of the rights of missing persons’ families.
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Meeting
with Families of the Victims of Artsakh War
On
April 15 under the initiative of Project Harmony American Organization
an event was organized in Vanadzor School #1 devoted to the families
of the killed soldiers in Artsakh War. The event was implemented within
the Global Youth Service Day. Fifteen families – children and
mothers, with the total number of 30 people- were invited to participate
in the event, as well as the expert from Helsinki Citizens’
Assembly of Vanadzor Arthur Sakunts. The meeting proceeded with active
discussions between the two parts, during which the vulnerable target
group members directed their questions and problems to the expert
and got a legal consultation. With the help of this meeting they acquired
knowledge about their advantages and rights, which are necessary for
them to improve their social state and everyday life.
The event was concluded with a beautiful concert, presented by the
talented students of Vanadzor School #1. At the end they presented
the mothers with flowers and the children with photo frames.
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“Hope
Dies Last”
August 30 is the International Day of Missing Persons
With
the aim of awareness raising on the problems of missing persons of
the Karabakh war Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor held an
event for the second time. It was organized within the project “Yellow
Tulips” implemented by HCA South Caucasus, with the support
of Interchurch Peace Council (IKV, the Netherlands).
The
event took place on August 30, 2005 in Yerevan. HCA Vanadzor invited
relatives of missing persons, media and NGO representatives, representatives
from ICRC and OSCE, as well as Members of Parliament, representatives
of the Ministry of Defense and relevant structures.
On
that occasion the film “Hope Dies Last” made with the
support of IKV in 2004 was shown for the first time. It presents human
suffering, the pain of the relatives after the conflict.
During
the event the coordinator of HCA Vanadzor Arthur Sakunts presented
the problems of missing persons in conflict areas (Nagorno Karabakh,
Chechnya, South Ossetia, Kashmir). “Unfortunately, legal, international
structures need improvements in their work for the search of missing
persons. It is necessary to work out a national mechanism that does
not exist so far”,- announced Arthur Sakunts.
The geographical scope of missing persons is very big as victims of
conflicts.
It means that the presence of the problems of missing persons during
Nagorno Karabakh, Chechnya, South Ossetia and Kasmir shows that the
problem is not of local but of global importance. It is conditioned
by the fact that there is no worked out legal mechanism which would
give the opportunity to make effective all the actions concerning
their fate and whereabouts.
There
were different opinions and comments about the issue. With the suggestion
of NGO “Zinvori Mayr” (“Soldier’s Mother”)
the NGOs signed a letter and sent to the RA State Commission on Missing
Persons demanding to publicize the list of missing persons of the
Karabakh war. The representative of the International Committee of
Red Cross Catherine Patronoff presented their actions in the search
of missing persons. They distributed a press release about that day.
(download icrc_press_release.pdf)
Though Members of Parliament, representatives of the Ministry of Defence
and relevant structures had been invited they did not come.
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