Bernhard Clazen: the doors are open for the team searching the missing people in Nagorny Karabakh

The international working team on searching for missing hostages and prisoners of war has made a regular visit to Stepanakert (Nagorny Karabakh). Bernhard Clazen (Germany), co-chairman of the team, has noted in an interview with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, that the last visit of the team to Nagorny Karabakh was made in October last year. This time, B. Clazen has arrived to the Karabakh conflict area together with Paata Zakareashvili (Georgia), co-chairman of the team, Avaz Gasanov, Azeri coordinator, and Karina Minasian, Armenian coordinator.

"The aim of our visit has been to clarify certain questions and discuss further cooperation with Nagorny Karabakh state structures which deal with the issues of prisoners of war and hostages. This time they have stated once more that all doors are open for us," says B. Clazen. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has asked if the team visited possible detention places of the war prisoners, but B. Clazen stressed that they had no particular wish to do so. "However, the Azeri part knows that we have access to any places where hostages may be held. I should like to address the relatives of those who are missing - if you have any information, please, apply to us, we shall check your data," says Bernhard Clazen.

The German human rights activist has welcomed the appointment Leo Platvoet rapporteur of the Commission on missing persons, refugees and population of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan under the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. In an answer of the "Caucasian Knot" question, he has stated that the team has established contacts with Leo Platvoet who, upon his arrival to Yerevan, met with K. Minasian, Armenian coordinator of the team. "I am very glad that this important issue, even 14 years after the truce, is being discussed at this high level," says B. Clazen.

He also notes that a lot of time has passed since the cease-fire, and there is less and less chance to find living people on the opposite side. "I do not exclude such possibility, but there is very little chance to find them," says the German human rights activist.