"In the last three days, 2 civilians were killed by landmines, and 4 were seriously injured"

The Non-Governmental Organizations working in the program to combat the mine threat in Azerbaijan have addressed a statement to the international organizations regarding the recent mine incidents in our region. Umud Mirzayev, president of the International Eurasia Press Fund, said this.

The statement reads as follows:

"The illegal actions of the Armenian military units, which massively polluted the liberated territories of Azerbaijan with mines and dangerous ammunition, and destroyed settlements, villages, and cities, are still continuing. The occurrence of landmine incidents in Fuzuli, Tartar and Khojavand regions in recent days, resulting in the death of 2 people and serious injuries to 4 people, is a continuation of these acts.

We, as civil society organizations, feel great concern due to the recent mine incidents that have resulted in the deaths of our civilians. We think that if the world community does not take Azerbaijan's landmine problem seriously, if it is not given a legal assessment at the international level, this crime against humanity will deepen every day and will end more people's lives. Unfortunately, the mine incidents that have taken place once again confirm the seriousness of the threat of this problem and the importance of the numerous calls, messages and statements made by us.

At present, Armenian provocateurs are secretly entering our liberated areas and planting mines in those areas. One of the reasons for the fighting on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border on September 12-13 is related to this provocation.

By the way, during the inspection of Armenian territories, it was discovered that Armenians have planted thousands of mines again.

It is no coincidence that after the agreement of November 10, 2020, more than 230 of our citizens, with mjority of them being civilians, have been victims of landmines. Among them are the employees of social-infrastructure projects serving in those areas and military personnel.

Currently, the world community turns a blind eye to Armenia's illegal mining of Azerbaijani territories as well as being silent. As civil society organizations, we are witnessing the neglectful approach of international organizations and donors to the landmine problem of our country. We appeal to the UN and its agencies, international organizations, including donors, investors, and urge them to support the solution of the global landmine problem in Azerbaijan.

We call on the international organizations not to take unreasonable and provocative actions of the Armenian side, such as re-igniting the conflict and inflaming enmity between the international community, but to promote activities for the sake of supporting peace and sustainable development in the region, and creating an environment of trust!

In this regard, they should object to the construction of minefields by the Armenian military units, as well as the construction of explosive traps using special explosive devices and give a legal assessment."