First Meeting of the Inter-Agency Commission on Prisoners, Hostages, and Missing Persons Held at NSS

On November 16, 2022, the first meeting of the inter-agency commission established by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia on October 20, 2022, under decision N 1236-A, took place at the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia. The commission is focused on issues concerning prisoners, hostages, and individuals who are missing (whose whereabouts are unknown).

Before addressing the agenda, the chairperson of the commission, the director of the NSS, A. Abazyan, delivered an opening speech. Welcoming those present, A. Abazyan outlined the tasks of the newly formed commission and expressed hope that the revised composition and functions of the commission would enable a more organized and coordinated approach to conducting search and repatriation efforts for prisoners, hostages, and missing persons.

Following this, there was a selection of non-governmental organizations that had applied to be included in the inter-agency commission for issues concerning prisoners, hostages, and missing persons. Three organizations were chosen from the applicants: the 'Lusik's Torch' Human Rights Protection NGO, the 'Center for International and Comparative Law' NGO, and the Tatoyan Foundation for Law and Justice.

The chairperson provided specific assignments to the members of the commission. The commission decided to hold the next meeting on December 16, 2022, with agenda items based on the given assignments.