Ombudsman called on international organizations to strengthen support for Azerbaijan in demining

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan expresses deep concern over the detonation of an anti-personnel mine that injured an employee of a private company during humanitarian demining operations in the Khojavend district.

As reported by BAKU.WS, this was stated in the Ombudsman's statement.

It emphasizes that given the ongoing mine threat, citizens are strongly advised to strictly observe safety rules in the liberated territories, travel exclusively along established routes, refrain from touching unknown objects, and remain vigilant at all times.

It is noted that the large-scale contamination of Azerbaijani territories with mines by Armenia over many years continues to pose a serious threat to people's lives and health in the post-conflict period as well. Mine explosions remain a significant obstacle to the realization of citizens' rights to life, health protection, living in a safe environment, as well as to the safe return of former internally displaced persons to their homeland.

The Ombudsman calls on the international community and relevant international organizations to show greater sensitivity to the severe humanitarian consequences of the mine threat, to strengthen international support for Azerbaijan's humanitarian demining activities, and to facilitate the expansion of technical, financial, and expert assistance in this area.

The document once again emphasizes that the elimination of the mine threat is of particular importance in terms of the reliable protection of human rights, safeguarding people's lives and health, as well as the safe restoration and resettlement of the territories liberated from occupation.