New York:The Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the United Nations has emphasized the need for sustained international solidarity to tackle the ongoing landmine threat within its borders. Magsad Huseynov, First Secretary of the Mission, highlighted this issue during the thematic discussion on conventional weapons at the First Committee of the eighty-first session of the UN General Assembly.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Huseynov stated that Azerbaijan remains one of the nations most impacted by landmine contamination due to past conflicts, with approximately 1.5 million landmines and numerous explosive remnants of war scattered across the country. He noted that this has resulted in significant human casualties, with over 3,500 individuals affected over the years, including 443 Azerbaijani citizens injured or killed since November 2020.
Huseynov pointed out that landmines are not only causing loss of life and injuries but are also hindering reconstruction efforts, limiting agricultural land use, and posing challenges for the safe return of internally displaced persons. He urged that states using landmines fulfill their obligations to document and clear these hazards post-conflict.
Furthermore, Huseynov recalled Azerbaijan’s statement at the Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, underscoring the rights of those affected by mines in conflict zones. He also addressed the issue of illicit arms trafficking in occupied territories and stressed the importance of international cooperation in maintaining peace and security, adhering to international law, and respecting state sovereignty.