Deadly legacy: Azerbaijan's civil society appeals to UN for support in demining

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in Azerbaijan have appealed to the international community to use the potential of humanitarian demining in the peacebuilding process.

Addressing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of the UN General Assembly Csaba Korosi, President of the UN Human Rights Council Vaclav Balek, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, heads of institutions of the Council of Europe and the EU, the Azerbaijani NGOs called on each of them to support the speedy elimination of the mine threat created by Armenia on the territory of Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports.

"Azerbaijan ranks among the countries most contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance. According to preliminary data, during the period of occupation [of Azerbaijani lands], Armenia planted more than 1 million mines on Azerbaijani lands.

We feel the real threat posed by mines and unexploded ordnance in our daily activities. Since the 44-day war in 2020, 303 people have fallen victim to mines in the territories liberated from occupation. Of these, 55 people were killed and the rest were injured of varying degrees of severity. Among the victims were nine children and adolescents and two women. Since 1991, the total number of mine victims placed by Armenia is approaching 3,400.

The Government of Azerbaijan is using all resources to conduct demining operations in the territories liberated from occupation. About 1 million IDPs are eagerly awaiting their safe return to their native lands. For their return, these territories must be cleared of mines as soon as possible, so there is a great need for the support of international structures.

We, - civil society organisations, call on you to support the mine problem faced by Azerbaijan, to put pressure on Armenia, to demonstrate a fair position in eliminating the mine threat," the appeal says.