We worked on behalf of people deprived of freedom and protected civilians: Red Cross on activities in Azerbaijan

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has published a statement on the highlights of its activities in Azerbaijan in 2024. As noted, the ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization working to safeguard the lives and dignity of people suffering from the consequences of conflict and other violence. The organization has been present in the region since 1992, working alongside national authorities to address humanitarian needs stemming from conflict. In 2024, taking note of the change in the context, the ICRC realigned its activities.

By midyear, all assistance programs were phased out, and support for further development and capacity building of the local specialists as well as institutions continued and deepened. “Together with the Azerbaijani institutions, we continued supporting those affected by conflict, focusing on missing people, raising awareness of the risk of weapon contamination, providing mental health and psychosocial support, conducting detention visits, and promoting international humanitarian law (IHL),” reads the statement.

In particular, in partnership with the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons of the Azerbaijan Republic (State Commission), the ICRC continued to support forensic efforts related to the exhumation and identification of human remains, to assist authorities in clarifying the fate of  approximately 4000 missing people. “In line with our mandate under the Geneva Conventions, we continued our work on behalf of people deprived of freedom and protected civilians,” the organization stated.