Persons missing due to the explosion in Artsakh will be considered missing persons
Families of those missing as a result of the fuel depot explosion near the Artsakh capital, Stepanakert, on September 25, 2023, will receive the same support as the relatives of those missing during military operations.
In the National Assembly, the Minister of Justice of the RA, Srbuhi Galyan, presented the package of amendments to the draft laws “On Persons Missing under Conditions and Circumstances Created as a Result of Military Operations” and related laws in the second reading.
According to the Minister, the concept of a “missing person” also includes individuals who died or went missing in peaceful conditions, as well as during military operations or within six months following them, even if they did not directly participate in the hostilities.
According to the Minister’s assessment, until now, there has been no comprehensive legislation regarding persons missing under conditions created as a result of military operations.
The legislative package under discussion proposes to clearly define who is considered a missing person, establish the rights of the missing and their family members, define the procedure for submitting a search application and organizing the process, as well as the grounds for terminating the search. It is also planned to create a unified registry of missing persons within the authorized body, the data of which will be accessible to family members, as well as to state and local self-government bodies. The law will also define the scope of the social support provided.
As a result of the explosion that occurred on September 25, 2023, at a fuel depot near the Stepanakert–Askeran highway, 219 people were killed, 22 are considered missing, and around 300 people were injured. The relatives of the victims and the missing demand clear status and social guarantees.
