Azerbaijan urges UN to address landmine crisis in liberated territories

The Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the United Nations, Yashar Aliyev, has called on UN Secretary-General António Guterres to address the issue of large-scale landmine contamination in Azerbaijani territories.

This contamination poses a threat to civilians, hinders regional reconstruction, and impedes the return of internally displaced persons to their native lands, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

This appeal was outlined in a letter dated December 12, 2024, from the diplomat to the UN Secretary-General.

Yashar Aliyev emphasised that Azerbaijan continues to face the consequences of decades of Armenian occupation. Over 1.5 million landmines and other explosive devices have been discovered in the liberated territories, posing dangers to civilians, military personnel, peacekeepers, and humanitarian workers.

"As a result of Armenia’s military aggression, tens of thousands of Azerbaijani citizens were killed, over 700,000 people were forced to flee their homes, and a significant portion of the country’s sovereign territory remained under illegal occupation for nearly 30 years," the diplomat stated in his letter.

He highlighted that during the conflict, 3,461 Azerbaijani citizens were harmed by landmines, including 359 children and 38 women. Since the end of the conflict, there have been 382 additional victims of landmines, of whom 70 lost their lives and 312 sustained severe injuries. The landmine contamination significantly hampers the implementation of infrastructure restoration projects and the return of approximately 700,000 internally displaced persons.

According to Yashar Aliyev, landmines have been placed not only near the former frontlines but also in residential areas, cemeteries, and cultural sites, causing maximum harm to civilians. He underscored that Armenia's refusal to provide minefield maps contradicts international humanitarian law, including the rights to life and freedom of movement.

Azerbaijan has integrated humanitarian demining into its National Sustainable Development Goals, designating it as the 18th goal. The diplomat urged the international community to intensify pressure on Armenia to provide comprehensive information on minefields to ensure the safety of civilians and the sustainable development of the liberated territories.

Recall that Yashar Teymur oglu Aliyev was recalled from his position as Azerbaijan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations on December 20. The corresponding decree was signed by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Note that, the Azerbaijani government has been conducting demining operations in the liberated territories to facilitate the return of internally displaced people to their homes. Despite extensive efforts, demining operations have faced challenges due to Armenia’s refusal to provide accurate maps displaying the locations of landmines. International experts estimate that Azerbaijan needs nearly 30 years and $25 billion to resolve demining-related issues.

As of mid-December 2024, Azerbaijan continues to face significant challenges due to landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in its territories. Since the end of the Second Karabakh War in 2020, there have been 382 recorded mine victims, including 70 fatalities and 312 injuries. The total number of mine victims in Azerbaijan has risen to 3,460, including 359 children and 38 women.

In response to this ongoing threat, Azerbaijan has intensified its demining efforts. By November 30, 2024, approximately 176,237 hectares of land have been cleared of mines and UXO, resulting in the detection and neutralization of 175,017 explosive devices, including 34,996 anti-personnel mines, 21,022 anti-tank mines, and 118,999 unexploded ordnances.

By Khagan Isayev