Victims of mine terrorism in Armenia, family members of mine victims, and NGOs operating in this field issued a joint statement, Ednews reports.

The statement reads:

"We - victims of mine terrorism of Armenia, family members of mine victims, NGOs operating in this field, make a joint statement on April 4 - International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, calling the international community "a world without mines" as the 18th Sustainable Development Goal of the UN. 60 million people around the world are still at risk of landmines.

Azerbaijan suffers from the mine war of Armenia, it is among the countries most polluted by mines. Armenia, which occupied part of Azerbaijan's lands for many years, buried more than 1.5 million landmines in these territories, and the territory was heavily polluted with other explosive munitions. We call on the international community to prosecute Armenia and support Azerbaijan in its humanitarian demining activities.

As a result of Armenia's mine terrorism, 3429 Azerbaijani people have been injured by mines since 1991. Most are civilians - 358 are children and youth, and 38 are women.

As a record in the last month, 3 people were victims of mines in Tartar and Aghdam, 2 of them are young: one is 18 years old, and the other is 29 years old.

Armenia's goal is war against the peaceful population of Azerbaijan. Mines, including trap mines, found in residential houses, cemeteries, and other places in the liberated areas are clear proof of this. Even a number of mass graves were mined around. Mines have been buried for people who come to visit and try to find the remains of their natives in these places after years of longing. This is a crime against humanity.

Despite all the calls, Armenia does not provide accurate information and maps about mined areas. The fakeness and unreliability of most given maps are also proven by the fact that the absolute majority of mine incidents in recent times have occurred outside of these maps. This activity does not serve peace in any way.

After the 44-day war in 2020 - 77% of the people who died from mine incidents in Azerbaijan were civilians. Since November 10, 2020, 350 people have been victims of landmines in the liberated areas, 65 of them lost their lives and 285 were injured.

Mine issue has become the biggest problem in Azerbaijan today. After 30 years of looting and destruction by Armenia, the state of Azerbaijan is carrying out large-scale restoration and construction works in Karabakh and East Zangezur, which were freed from occupation and is returning the former settlers to their homelands. However, the mine threat is a serious obstacle to this process, a source of danger to the life and health of citizens.

We, as victims of mine terrorism in Armenia, family members of mine victims, and representatives of NGOs operating in this field, call on citizens to fully comply with safety rules when moving in liberated areas, not to enter non-public areas, and pay attention to all danger signs.

Today, the state of Azerbaijan carries out demining activities almost entirely at the expense of its internal resources. We call on the international community and international organizations to cooperate closely with Azerbaijan in humanitarian demining. We salute the heroes and the self-sacrificing demining, which is a very risky field, but a very honorable profession, in which women have recently joined their ranks!

Large mined areas in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur are a big blow to ecology, environment, as well as agriculture. This leads to ecological problems, the destruction of flora and fauna, and the inefficient use of land areas.

We believe the day will come when Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur will be declared a mine-free region. This is a key condition for security, return, and prosperity in the region.

We appeal to the world community to fully support Azerbaijan to bring this day closer and to take consistent action to declare the goal of a "mine-free world" as the 18th Sustainable Development Goal of the UN.

Signatories:

Umud Mirzayev – International Eurasia Press Fund;

Hafiz Safikhanov - "Azerbaijan Campaign Against Landmines" Public Union;

Rey Karimoglu - Association of Mine Victims of Azerbaijan;

Alimammad Nuriyev - Constitutional Research Foundation;

Rauf Zeini - National Forum of Non-Governmental Organizations;

Azer Allahverenov - "Eurasia" Migration Initiatives Platform Public Union;

Zaur İbrahimli - "Prioritet" Social Economic Research Center Public Union;

Novella Jafaroglu - Azerbaijan Women's Rights Protection Society Public Union named after D. Aliyeva;

Sevinj Orujova - "Zafar" Public Union of Support to Martyrs' Families;

Konul Behbudova - "Karabakh Missing Families" Public Union;

Davud Rahimli - Chairman of the Union of Disabled Organizations;

Saadat Bananyarli - "International Human Rights Society Azerbaijan National Section" Public Union;

Saida Gocamanli - Public Union for the Protection of Human Rights and Legality;

Sahib Mammadov - Citizens Labor Rights Protection League;

Amin Mammadov - "Specialists in the field of water use" Public Union;

Rashad Mehdiyev - "Gilavar Photo Club" Public Union

Muqabil Bayramov - "Public Union of Azerbaijan Cartographers;

Tavakkul Iskandarov - "Biological Diversity Center" Public Union

Chingiz Ganizade - "Democracy and Human Rights Committee" Public Union;

Gorkhmaz Ibrahimli - "Biosphere" Public Union;

Anar Khalilov - "Healthy Development and Education" Public Union;

Ahmet Abbasbeyli - "Development of Society and Civil Relations" Public Union;

Nadir Jafarov - "Chirag" Humanitarian Public Union;

Aydın Karimov - Independent Legal Center Public Union;

Asaf Aliyev - "Veterans of Karabakh" Public Union

Mehdi Mehdiyev - "Karabakh war disabled, veterans and families of martyrs" Public Union;

Mirhasan Hasanov - Chernobyl Disabled People's Union;

Fuzuli Rzaguliyev - Public Union of Veterans of the Patriotic War of Azerbaijan;

Zaur Guliyev - "Education and Social Development of Beylagan Youth" Public Union;

Irada Hasanova - "Sema & Eco" Social Economic Development Assistance Public Union;

Samad Vakilov - "Commissioner Law Center" Public Union;

Mine victim Mammadov Zabil Alastan oghlu;

Mammadzade Vidadi Vali, the victim of a mine;

Mine victim Zeynalov Telman Babir oghly;

Ahmadov Alasgar Aziz oghly, a family member of Ahmadov Yasin Alasgar oghly, who died as a result of a mine explosion;

Mine victim Ismayilov Polad Alish oghly;

Mine victim Mammadov Azer Ahmed oghly;

Mine victim Alizade Hasanali Sahin oghly;

Yagubov Elshan Yagub oghlu, a family member of Yagubov Fakhreddin Yagub oghlu, who died as a result of the mine incident;

Kahramanov Muhammed Khalil, a family member of Kahramanov Uzeyir Khalil oghly, who died as a result of a mine incident;

Hajiyeva Shabnam Shakir gizi, a family member of Hajiyev Shakir Maharram oghlu, who died as a result of a mine incident;

Gadimzade Tural Firuddin oghlu, a family member of Hajiyev Firuddin Maharram oghlu, who was killed as a result of the mine incident;

Huseynov Adishirin Zulfugar oghlu, a family member of Huseynov Zulfugar Adishirin oghlu, who was killed as a result of the mine incident;

Safarov Samir Maharram oghlu, a family member of Adilzadeh Zibeyda Shakir gizi, who died as a result of a mine incident;

Mine victim Ahmadov Togrul Vilayat oghly;

Ahmedov Orkhan Kamil oghlu, a mine victim;

Babayev Fadakar Gabil oghlu, family member of Babayev Zabil Gabil oghlu, who was killed as a result of the mine incident;

Alakbarov Elgun Mahmud oghly, a mine victim;

Mine victim Mirzayev Elmaddin Tofig oghlu;

Imanov Azad Telman oghlu, a family member of Imanov Bahruz Telman oghlu, who was killed as a result of the mine incident;

Mine victim Mukhtarov Azad Aydın oghlu;

Guliyev Shahin Allahverdi oghlu, family member of Guliyev Mehman Allahverdi oghlu, who died as a result of the landmine incident;

Alasgarov Shaig Mustaqim, a family member of Alasgarov Mustaqim Allahveran oghlu, who died as a result of a mine explosion;

Mine victim Agalarov Ali Alibaba oghlu;

Mine victim Azimzade Hafiz Salim oghly;

The father of Huseynov Bayram and Huseynov Razin, who died as a result of the mine incident, as well as the father of Huseynov Anar, who was injured, Huseynov Akif Mukhtar oghly, who was a victim of the mine;

Mammadov Emin Hasan oghly, a mine victim;

Mine victim Guliyev Arif Sabir oghly;

Samadov Shirzad Abish oghlu, a family member of Abishov Siraj Abish oghlu, who was killed as a result of the mine incident;

Ibrahimov Asgar Ali oghlu, a family member of Ibrahimov Maharram Ali oghlu, who died as a result of the landmine incident;

Mine victim Aslanov Khanlar Fazil oghly;

Hamidov Faig Sovet oghly, a family member of Hamidov Elsavar Sovet oghly, who died as a result of the mine incident;

Mine victim Abilov Mahir Ramiz oghlu;

Gandiyev Firuddin Ismayil oghlu, a family member of Gandiyev Vusal Firuddin oghlu, who died as a result of the mine incident;

Mine victim Valiyev Ruhin Sultan oghly;

Mine victim Jabbarov Nicat Novruz oghlu;

Panahov Rodik Shamseddin oghly, a mine victim;

Mine victim Aliyarov Sadir Heydar oghly;

Mine victim Askerov Elnur Asif oghly;

Alishov Nasib Oktay, a family member of Alishov Oktay Bayram oghlu, who died as a result of a mine incident;

Mahmudov Shahriyar Mahmud oghlu, a family member of Mahmudov Bakhtiyar Mahmud oghlu, who died as a result of the mine incident;

Mine victim Gurbanov Abdulla Novruz oghlu;

Mine victim Novruzov Ruhin Aladdin oghly;

Jafarova Tamam Aslan gizi, victim of landmine;

Mine victim Babashov Khazar Tariyel oghlu;

Mine victim Alasgarov Abdulla Hamid oghly;

Askerov Masim Hasan oghly, a mine victim;

Mine victim Aliyev Sahib Isa oghly;

Sadikhov Eldar Sabirovich, a family member of mine victim Sadikhov Samir Sabirovich;

Family member of mine victim Guliyev Farhad Huseynaga oghlu, Guliyev Famil Huseynaga oghlu;

Mine victim Hasanov Zamaddin Galandar oghlu;

Abilov Amil Ilyas oghlu, a family member of mine victim Abilov Famil Ilyas oghlu;

Nuraliyev Ahmadaga Khanbala, a family member of mine victim Nuraliyev Elchin Khanbala;

Verdiyev Niyamaddin Hikmet oghly, a mine victim;

Huseynov Vusal Asif oghlu, a family member of Huseynov Asif Novruz oghlu, a mine victim;

Mine victim Askerov Elnur Asif oghly;

Mine victim Akbarov Vagif Sabir oghly;

Mine victim Abbasov Bakhtiyar Yagub oghly;

Mine victim Jabbarov Nicat Novruz oghlu;

Mine victim Agalarov Ali Alibaba oghlu;

Mine victim Hasanov Nizameddin Qalandar oghly;

Mine victim Garayev Sahin Gadir oghlu;

Mine victim Ahmadov Asif Alasgar oghly;

Mine victim Babayev Ramil Nazim oghlu;

Mine victim Bagrov Elmir Elnur oghlu;

Mine victim Hasanov Azad Kamandar oghly;

Mine victim Alizadeh Samir Buruz oghlu;

Mine victim Agayev Bakhtiyar Hatam oghly;

Mammadov Mahir Afran oghlu, the victim of a mine;

Aliyev Gara Ali oghly, victim of a mine;

Mine victim Bayramov Elvin Zahir oghlu;

Mine victim Huseynov Asif Novruz oghlu;

Bayramov Rafayil Kochari oghly, victim of a mine;

Verdiyev Niyamaddin Hikmet oghly, a mine victim;

Mine victim Guliyeva Nabat Mikayil gizi;

Mine victim Yusifov Elmir Islam oghly;

Mine victim Idrisov Ahmed Shohrat oghly;

Mine victim Mammadov Vugar Magsud oghly;

Mine victim Huseynov Gilman Hidayat oghly;

Mine victim Najafov Parviz Sozalı oghly;

Balakishiyev Tofiq Hajimirza oghlu, a mine victim.