Azerbaijan raises concerns over landmine contamination at UN Human Rights Council session

Azerbaijan has expressed grave concern about the impact of landmines on individuals with disabilities at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in Geneva.

In a statement presented by Azerbaijan's permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, it was highlighted that the Azerbaijani government places significant emphasis on the integration of women with disabilities into social life, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

This includes social protection programmes, rehabilitation, vocational training, and efforts to enhance the workforce potential of individuals with disabilities, particularly in rural areas.

The statement also addressed the ongoing threat posed by landmines in Azerbaijan, with particular focus on the significant number of casualties caused by mines placed by Armenian forces in previously occupied territories. The document highlighted that these mines continue to claim lives and cause severe injuries, including among women and children.

"The landmine contamination, coupled with Armenia’s refusal to provide accurate minefield maps, continues to take lives and inflict harm on civilians," the statement noted.

Azerbaijan urged the international community to support efforts to clear these mine-affected areas and called for special attention from the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the issue of landmine victims.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan expressed its gratitude to the government of Kyrgyzstan for its cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities and commended the measures being taken by Kyrgyzstan to protect the rights of this vulnerable group.

By Aghakazim Guliyev