The Human Rights and Public Freedoms Department of the world-famous Al Jazeera TV channel has released a appeal and a video of the International Eurasian Press Foundation regarding the members of the media who were victims of mine terror in Kalbajar.

It is noted in the article that the Press Council of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani journalists appealed to international media and public organizations to demand the maps of landmines from Armenia and put pressure on them. It said that the non-delivery of the maps of landmines to Azerbaijan hinders the activities of journalists and pose the threat to life of civilians.

The appeal also states that the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has issued a statement on the incident and a criminal case launched by Azerbaijani Military Prosecutor's Office.

Eurasia Diary presents the text and video of the appeal to readers:

On June 4, 2021, the correspondent of the Azerbaijan State Information Agency (AzerTag) Maharram Ibrahimov and the operator of the Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Closed Joint-Stock Company (AzTV) Siraj Abishov have been killed in the line of duty. The incident took place in the Kalbajar region of the Republic of Azerbaijan due to a mine explosion in the recently liberated area from Armenian occupation.

Commenting on the incident, Deputy Chairman of the Press Council of Azerbaijan, president of the International Eurasia Press Fund Umud Mirzayev said that similar provocations have occurred since the end of the Second Karabakh War after the signing of the trilateral statement by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia on November 10, 2020. Various types of mines and other explosive devices buried by Armenia in the past have killed and injured dozens of people. The tragic event that resulted in the deaths of Maharram Ibrahimov and Siraj Abishov is a clear indication that the problem of mined areas also hinders and restricts journalistic activity, making the profession a real threat. It should be noted that employees of both media outlets went to Kalbajar region to perform their duties.

The Republic of Armenia refuses to provide the Azerbaijani side with maps of mined areas. This not only restricts journalistic activity in those areas, but also prevents the return of IDP families who have forcibly been separated from their native lands as a result of the Armenian occupation. Thus, both the provision of information to society and the right of people to live in their own homes are violated.

Umud Mirzayev stressed that Azerbaijani journalists' organizations and media representatives demand that Armenia refrain from violating human rights and freedoms and provide maps of mined areas.

"We call on our colleagues abroad to react seriously to this fact and to put pressure on the Republic of Armenia to provide maps of mined areas."

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also issued a special statement on the incident. The statement says that Armenia bears all the responsibilities for civilian Azerbaijanis becoming victims of landmines in the fulfilment of their duties. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has called on the international community not to turn a blind eye to Armenia's gross violation of its international obligations, including the policy of targeted landmines, and to demand that Armenia adhere its obligations under international law.

It should be noted that the Azerbaijani Military Prosecutor's Office has already launched a criminal case on the fact of killing two Azerbaijani journalists by landmines in violation of international humanitarian law during the armed conflict.