12:51, 15 June 2004

New NGO unites refugees in Nagorny Karabakh

A constituent meeting of a non-governmental organization uniting refugees was held in Stepanakert on June 10. The goal of the new organization is to protect refugees' rights established by the law and to find ways for Karabakh refugees to reach international instances.

Approximately 25 thousand refugees, most of whom were deported from Azerbaijan, live in Nagorny Karabakh now, according to Nagorno Karabakh's Department for Refugees and IDPs [internally displaced persons]. Members of the organization are going to attract the attention of the Karabakh authorities and international community to the issue of getting compensations for lost housing and other demands coming from documents adopted by the United Nations concerning refugees. Sanasar Saroian, living in the town of Shushi, was elected chairman of the organization.

Author: Naira Ayrumian, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot