Brussels:Families of missing Azerbaijanis have been conducting peaceful rallies in Brussels, organized by the Karabakh Missing Persons’ Families Public Union. The latest rally took place at the historic Place de l’Albertine on October 22.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, these rallies followed events at Place du Luxembourg outside the European Parliament on October 20 and at Schuman Square, home to key European Union institutions, on October 21. The rallies featured an installation displaying photographs, clothing, and letter envelopes representing missing Azerbaijanis. The envelopes bore poignant messages such as ‘I am not just a number. I have a name and a family’ and ‘I am still someone’s child. How long must my family wait?’
During the rallies, visitors expressed their support by writing messages, tying commemorative ribbons, and laying flowers. Information was disseminated regarding the 4,010 Azerbaijanis who went missing during Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territories, including 71 children, 288 women, and 319 elderly people.
Konul Behbudova, chairperson of the public union and sister of missing person Abbas Behbudov, criticized Armenia’s lack of response regarding the missing Azerbaijanis. She stressed the need for information to be provided to Azerbaijan about their fate.
Participants in the rallies included Farida Jabbarova, wife of Azad Jabbarov; Reyhan Janiyeva, wife of Sakhavat Janiyev; Sevinj Hajiyeva, daughter of Ahmad Mammadov; Mahuru Shahin, mother of Shahin Aliyev; Nazani Aliyeva, wife of Abulfat Aliyev; and Parvana Mammadova, wife of Ogtay Mammadov. They shared their emotional distress caused by the disappearance of their relatives and the prolonged uncertainty.
The families made a heartfelt appeal to the international community to amplify efforts to determine the fate of the missing persons, emphasizing their desire for truth rather than just remembrance. They declared their intention to persist with their international campaign until the fate of their loved ones is known.
On October 21, the families also met with representatives at the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels, including Okke Bouwman, political adviser to the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, and Marco Cardinali, coordinator for relations with Azerbaijan.
The Karabakh Missing Persons’ Families Public Union’s endeavors, including the ‘Echo of Absence’ project, are supported by funding from Azerbaijan’s NGO Agency’s 2026 grant competition.