Brussels:A group of Azerbaijani families gathered outside the European Parliament in Brussels to protest on October 20. The demonstration, organized by the ‘Garabagh Missing Families’ Public Union, took place at Place du Luxembourg. The protest aimed to bring attention to the plight of families who have been waiting for over 30 years for news of their missing relatives.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the protest statement revealed that 4,010 Azerbaijanis, including 71 children, 288 women, and 319 elderly individuals, went missing during Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territories. The statement also highlighted the discovery of 32 mass graves in liberated areas, where 328 missing persons were identified through forensic genetic examinations, and the remains of 273 were returned to their families. The protesters called on Armenia to provide relevant information and archives to aid in determining the fate of those still missing.
The families appealed to the European Parliament, urging for greater attention to the issue, emphasizing that the right to know the truth is a universal human right. They recalled the case of Elmira Dadashova, who died without learning about her missing son, as a poignant example of the ongoing struggle. The protest included a display of photographs and clothing of the missing Azerbaijanis, along with letters written from their perspective, which visitors supported by writing messages, tying ribbons, and laying flowers.
Konul Behbudova, chair of the ‘Garabagh Missing Families’ Public Union, urged Armenia to disclose information regarding mass grave locations to clarify the fate of the missing. She emphasized that no family should have to wait indefinitely for answers.
Previously, on August 30, the ‘Garabagh Missing Families’ Public Union held a protest in Geneva at the ‘Palace of Nations,’ featuring personal belongings of the missing and presenting slogans narrating their life stories. The union’s ‘Echoes of Absence’ project won the NGO Support Agency’s 2026 grant competition.
Additionally, the Gilavar Photo Club of Azerbaijan organized exhibitions in seven European cities to raise awareness about mine threats in liberated Azerbaijani territories as part of the ‘A Mine-Free World’ campaign.