Families of individuals missing as a result of the fuel depot explosion near Stepanakert will receive the same support provided to families of those missing in wartime.
The National Assembly has discussed in second reading a package of amendments to the law “On Persons Missing in Conditions and Circumstances Arising from Military Operations” and related legislation, presented by Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan, Sputnik Armenia reports.
MPs from the Hayastan faction also raised the issue, prompting the minister to provide clarifications.
“The concept of a missing person also includes individuals who died in peacetime, or those who died or went missing within six months following military operations, or without directly participating in them. In other words, the subjects you are referring to are presented in the draft law as missing persons,” Galian said.
According to her, until now there has been no comprehensive legislation regarding persons missing in conditions created by military operations.
The legislative package proposes clearly defining who is considered a missing person and enshrining the rights of those individuals and their family members. It sets out procedures for filing search applications, regulates the search process and defines the grounds for its termination.
It also provides for the creation of a unified registry of missing persons under an authorized body. The registry’s data will be accessible to family members as well as state and local self-government bodies. In addition, the scope of benefits intended for missing persons and their families will be defined.
On September 25, 2023, an explosion at a fuel depot near the Stepanakert–Askeran highway killed 219 people, left 22 missing and injured around 300 others. Relatives of the victims have demanded a clear legal status for those affected.
