UN Adopts Resolution on 'Missing Persons' Initiated by Azerbaijan
A resolution titled "Missing Persons" (A/C.3/81/L.24), initiated by Azerbaijan within the framework of the 81st session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, has been adopted by consensus at the 41st plenary meeting of the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Issues).
This was reported by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to Operativ Media.
Adopted on November 10, the resolution was co-sponsored by 63 member states representing various regions.
First launched by Azerbaijan in 2002 at the 57th session of the General Assembly and pursued over many years, the initiative reaffirms obligations under international humanitarian law regarding missing persons, complemented where applicable by international human rights law.
The resolution calls on states that are parties to an armed conflict to take all appropriate measures to prevent persons from going missing and to determine the fate of those who have disappeared.
It also recalls that cases of missing persons are linked to acts constituting criminal offenses, underlining the importance of ending impunity for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law related to missing persons.
The resolution urges states to cooperate in addressing missing persons issues, including through the identification, mapping, and preservation of burial sites. In this context, explicit reference is made for the first time to individual, collective, and mass graves.
Additionally, new provisions were included in the resolution emphasizing the importance of addressing the issue of missing persons within peace and peacebuilding processes, encouraging its integration into these efforts to determine their fate.
The resolution also expresses concern that landmines, explosive remnants of war, and improvised explosive devices impede efforts to locate missing persons.
Furthermore, it requests the UN Secretary-General to submit a comprehensive report on the implementation of the resolution to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly.
The resolution further requests the convening of a high-level informal meeting of the General Assembly—with the participation of relevant UN bodies and General Assembly observers—featuring a report presented by the UN Secretary-General followed by an interactive dialogue.
The consensus adoption of the "Missing Persons" resolution serves as a strong message regarding the international community's shared commitment to resolving this urgent humanitarian issue.
