New York:The Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the United Nations has highlighted the ongoing landmine threat in the country and called for increased international cooperation to tackle the issue. Magsad Huseynov, First Secretary of the Mission, made these remarks during a discussion on conventional weapons at the United Nations General Assembly.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Huseynov emphasized the severity of the landmine contamination resulting from past conflicts, which have left Azerbaijan among the most affected countries. He noted that there are approximately 1.5 million landmines and numerous unexploded remnants of war within the country. This situation has resulted in over 3,500 casualties over the past three decades, with 443 Azerbaijani citizens, including women and children, affected since November 2020.
Huseynov pointed out that landmines pose a continuous danger, particularly due to their placement in civilian areas, cemeteries, and cultural sites, complicating efforts for identification and clearance. The contamination also impedes reconstruction efforts, limits agricultural land use, and hinders the return of internally displaced persons.
He stressed the responsibility of states that have used landmines to document their locations and ensure their removal or neutralization post-conflict. Furthermore, Huseynov recalled Azerbaijan’s statement on behalf of 19 countries at the Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, focusing on the rights of people affected by mines and explosive remnants.
Huseynov also highlighted Azerbaijan’s efforts to curb illicit arms trafficking following the restoration of its sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of international compliance with legal obligations related to peace and security.