BAKU, Azerbaijan,
October 7. The UN Human Rights Council has adopted
a resolution titled “Impact of anti-personnel mines on the full
enjoyment of human rights: Strengthening victim assistance,” which
Azerbaijan co-authored and actively promoted, the Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministry said.


The resolution was adopted without a vote, with 70 states
joining as co-sponsors.


During the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in
Geneva, Azerbaijan organized a public dialogue to promote and keep
the joint initiative on the agenda and co-hosted a side event
dedicated to the issue.


Azerbaijan, one of the countries most heavily contaminated by
mines in the world, faces a severe challenge posed by
anti-personnel mines, the ministry said.


“Anti-personnel mines and unexploded ordnance have a long-term
and severe impact on the full enjoyment of human rights, with
serious consequences for the lives of victims and their family
members. In this regard, we welcome the particular attention given
to victim assistance in the resolution,” the ministry said.


The ministry emphasized that mine action is a fundamental
element of sustainable peace and plays an important role in
post-conflict recovery.


“Mine clearance not only enables the safe and dignified return
of former internally displaced persons to their homes, but also
makes an important contribution to the recovery of
conflict-affected areas and communities, as well as ensuring
socio-economic development,” it said.


The ministry also welcomed the resolution's focus on the
interlinkages between mine action, peace and the achievement of the
Sustainable Development Goals.


“Mine clearance is also important for ensuring more effective
adaptation to climate-related risks. In this regard, we consider it
important that the resolution contributes to developing and
deepening understanding of the link between mine action and
adaptation to climate risks in the context of human rights,” the
ministry said.


The scale of casualties caused by mines once again demonstrates
the need to mobilize stronger international support, partnerships
and sustainable financing for mine action and victim assistance,
according to the ministry.


It welcomed the Human Rights Council's call on member states to
increase financing for mine clearance and victim assistance,
including through alternative sources of financing and
public-private partnerships.


“Azerbaijan once again emphasizes the importance of
strengthening international cooperation, solidarity and sustained
support in addressing the mine threat and highly values the
contribution of mine action to the protection of human rights and
the promotion of sustainable peace and development,” the ministry
said.