Ombudsperson: Mine threat remains a serious danger for Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson), Sabina Aliyeva, expressed serious concern over the injury of an employee of a private company involved in humanitarian demining, who was wounded after triggering an anti-personnel mine in the Khojavand district.

According to Report, citing the Ombudsperson's Office, Sabina Aliyeva urged citizens, given the continuing mine threat, to strictly observe safety regulations in the liberated territories, travel only along designated routes, avoid touching unidentified objects, and remain vigilant.

The statement notes that the widespread contamination of Azerbaijan's territories with mines by Armenia continues to pose a serious threat to people's lives and health in the post-conflict period. The mine threat remains one of the main obstacles to ensuring citizens' rights to life, health, and a safe environment, as well as to the safe return of formerly displaced persons to their native homes.

The Ombudsperson called on the international community and relevant international organizations to pay greater attention to the severe humanitarian consequences of the mine threat, strengthen international support for humanitarian demining efforts in Azerbaijan, and expand technical, financial, and expert assistance.

The statement also emphasizes that eliminating the mine threat is crucial for protecting human rights, safeguarding the lives and health of the population, and ensuring the safe reconstruction and resettlement of the liberated territories.

It should be noted that Ahadov Ahad Sarvan oglu, born in 1985, an employee of a private company involved in humanitarian demining, was injured after detonating an anti-personnel mine while performing his duties in the Khojavand district.