Reference :
V-P-AZ-E-00993
Date :
17/01/2024
Caption :
Shamakhi. ICRC staff talk to two sisters of a combatant who went missing during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 1992. They have handed over their brother's remains, which have recently been identified.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
ICRC website, article, 05/03/2024
"The Mikayilov family in Azerbaijan waited over 30 years to hear news of their missing loved one, Baba Mikayilov, who went missing in 1992 during the Karabakh war. One of nine children, Baba had volunteered to fight on the front line at the age of 22 and never returned. Recently, his remains were identified and handed over to his family through the persistent efforts of the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons of Azerbaijan Republic (State Commission) with the technical support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)."
"Handing over the remains of a missing person is the last crucial step of a complex process that involves collection of information on the missing person, search, recovery and forensic analysis of human remains. This culminates in the reconciliation of all available information leading to either a positive identification, exclusion, or inconclusive result. The identification and handing over of Baba's mortal remains bears witness to the commitment of the local authorities and the ICRC and the resilience of his family."
"His sisters Senaye and Esnaya share their story of 31 years of nightmares, tears, and never-ending hope of Baba's return. "For nine years, our mother left our door unlocked in the hope that her missing son would return at any moment."
""Our mother was heartbroken when we got news of Baba's remains being found," says Esnaya. The family's only consolation was that the ambiguity around his disappearance had been resolved and they could give him a proper burial, to grieve and pray for him. "At the funeral organized for Baba, our mother told everyone not to cry but instead to congratulate her for the resolution. We were relieved that we also had a specific place where we could visit Baba when we wish to. Unfortunately, just 20 days after Baba's burial, our mother passed away too," says Esnaya."
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
3771x3000
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
