European Azerbaijan Center issues statement on situation in Azerbaijani mine-contaminated areas
The European Azerbaijan Center based in Germany has issued an official statement on April 4 - International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
The statement reads: “The European Azerbaijan Center (Europäisches Aserbaidschan Zentrum e.V.) expresses its serious concern regarding the ongoing humanitarian situation in the mine-contaminated areas of Azerbaijan and emphasizes the need for a more consistent, principled, and international-law-based approach to this issue at the international level.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance in the territories of Azerbaijan that remained under occupation for many years continue to pose a real and persistent threat to the civilian population. This threat not only creates serious risks to human life and health, but also significantly hinders the safe and dignified return of formerly displaced persons to their homes and places of origin, the implementation of reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in those territories, and the establishment of lasting peace and stability.
The issue of mine-contaminated areas is an extremely serious matter from the perspective of thefundamental principles of international humanitarian law, particularly the protection of civilians, thereduction of humanitarian risks in the post-conflict period, and the restoration of safe living conditions. The long-term nature of the mine threat, together with the failure to provide the necessary information in a timely and comprehensive manner, continues to place the lives and health of civilians at constant risk. The deaths and serious injuries caused by landmine explosions in Azerbaijan among civilians, including children, public officials, and those involved in reconstruction efforts, once again demonstrate that this issue is not merely technical in nature, but rather a grave humanitarian matter directly affecting human life, security, and post-conflict recovery.
In this regard, it would be inappropriate to treat the issue of mine-contaminated areas merely as a local or secondary humanitarian matter. The European Azerbaijan Center (Europäisches Aserbaidschan Zentrum e.V.) calls upon international organizations, European institutions, relevant bodies within the United Nations system, human rights mechanisms, and political decision-makers to demonstrate a more resolute and consistent position with regard to the mine-contaminated areas of Azerbaijan. The full provision of accurate minefield information, the systematic and accelerated clearance of contaminated territories, the strengthening of the protection of the rights of mine victims, the provision of additional medical, social, and psychological rehabilitation support, and the expansion of international cooperation in this field are of particular importance.
The principles of international humanitarian law and human rights must be applied universally. The lives and safety of civilians, as well as their right to return safely to their homes, must be protected under all circumstances, and a principled and consistent approach to this issue must be ensured.”
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