New youth platform for mine victims' rights unveiled at UN forum

At a side event held during the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum in New York, the Eurasian Regional Centre of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Youth Forum introduced a new initiative dedicated to mine victims.

The “International Youth Platform on Protection of Mine Victims’ Rights” was formally presented on April 22 by Ramin Habibzadeh, Deputy Director General of the Eurasian Regional Centre (ERC), Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Speaking at the panel titled “Non-Aligned Movement Youth Vision: Regional and Global Cooperation in Mine Action”, Habibzadeh emphasised the pressing need for stronger regional and global partnerships in the field of demining. He highlighted the essential role youth can and should play in advancing mine action efforts.

The newly introduced platform, founded by the ERC in 2023, aims to amplify the voices of mine victims — especially young people — while supporting youth-led initiatives that focus on the protection, rehabilitation, and rights of survivors. The initiative also promotes broader international cooperation and encourages inclusive participation in mine action programs.

The presentation concluded with an interactive Q&A session, allowing participants to engage directly with the ERC’s vision and strategies.

The side event attracted youth delegates from various countries participating in the UN Youth Forum, alongside representatives of UN agencies, the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization, Azerbaijan's Mine Action Agency (ANAMA), and other relevant stakeholders. The session served as a vital platform to strengthen youth involvement in mine-related advocacy and to bolster international collaboration on this humanitarian challenge.

The initiative gains particular resonance in light of Azerbaijan’s extensive post-war demining efforts following its victory in the Second Karabakh War against Armenia in November 2020. After regaining control over territories previously held by Armenian forces for nearly three decades, Azerbaijan began clearing thousands of mines from the liberated regions.

Despite obtaining minefield maps from Armenia, covering areas such as Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Zangilan, the Azerbaijani authorities have consistently questioned their reliability. President Ilham Aliyev has publicly stated that the accuracy of the maps does not exceed 25 per cent. ANAMA further reported that, in practice, the effectiveness of the maps is as low as two per cent.

In exchange for these maps, Azerbaijan released several Armenian saboteurs detained after the war. However, the demining process remains a monumental task. According to international experts cited by the Azerbaijani government, the country could require up to 30 years and $25 billion to fully resolve the challenges posed by landmines across its territory.

By Tamilla Hasanova