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Is it correct to give martyrâ€™s status to the Azerbaijanis in captivity? â€“ INVESTIGATION

Is it correct to give martyrâ€™s status to the Azerbaijanis in captivity? â€“ <font color=red>INVESTIGATION </font>

07 July 2008 11:18 (UTC +04:00)

They are detained in camps of Armenian military unitsâ€. Daughter of Bagirov Ruslan Huseyngulu, whose existence in Armenian captivity confirmed by the witnesses, Zarif Bagirova told APA, her father was captured on May 8, 1992 during the occupation of Shusha. â€œWitness evidences to the State Commission on POWs, Hostages and Missing Persons also proved that my father was captured. People saw my father after the captivity in Khalfali Village and Khankendi Town of Nagorno Karabakh, as well as in Spitak and Gorus towns of Armenia. They also saw my uncle Bagirov Nasir, who was captured together with my fatherâ€. Zarif Bagirova said despite that her father and uncle received martyrâ€™s status.
â€œIt creates opportunity for Armenians to do false things. The issue of captives and hostages should be solved within the law, because these people didnâ€™t die at the scene of battleâ€. Chairwoman of Public Union for Assistance to Captives and Hostages â€œHasrat Yoluâ€ (â€œThe Way of Griefâ€) Esmira Orucova told APA, some people captured, taken hostage or missing in the first years of the war and in the second half of 1990s, whose fate was unknown for two years, received martyrâ€™s status. â€œIn fact they tried to solve problems of those people giving them martyrsâ€™ status. It is not correct approach in any caseâ€. She said local courts and relatives of the captives, hostages and missing people achieved to register them as martyrs. â€œTheir relatives appealed the courts and received martyrâ€™s status for them. Captured man canâ€™t be a martyr. He should be handed over to his family alive or dead. Registration of the people, witnesses said to be in captivity, reduces the enemyâ€™s responsibilityâ€. Orujova emphasized that Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani Parliament) should focus this problem and make appropriate amendments in the legislation.
Hadi Rajabli, Chairman of MM Standing Commission on Social Policy told APA that the issue had not been discussed at the Parliament.
â€œRegulations on commemoration of martyrs have been prepared by the Cabinet of Ministersâ€, he said.
Aydin Mirzezadeh, Deputy Chairman of MM Standing Commission on Security and Defense Issues told that the courtâ€™s decision was regular.
â€œAfter their return, the status can be changed. This is fine issue and you cannot demonstrate strict position. Moreover, international experience should be learnedâ€, he said.
MP Azay Guliyev, member of State Commission on POWs, Hostages and Missing Persons of Azerbaijan Republic noted that it was difficult to apply the status of martyrs on captives.
â€œThey should be approached as martyrs as well. They have been captured in the struggle for territorial integrity. If the issue is debated legally, I will support the issue as Member of Parliamentâ€, he said.
Working Group of State Commission on POWs, Hostages and Missing Persons of Azerbaijan Republic told APA that there was not any status on captives, hostages and missing persons in international law. Behaviors with them are regulated by 1949 Geneva Convention and protocols amended to it. Persons, who died and missed in military operations during the struggle for territorial integrity and sovereignty, should be considered as martyrs according to law on commemoration of martyrs and concessions to families of martyrs adopted September 3, 1993. Legal basis on missing persons is regulated with civil legislation.
â€œFamilies of missing persons appeal to State Commission on proper issue regularly and they are recommended to appeal to the court explaining their rights.