BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12.​ As many as 417
people were killed or injured to varying degrees by mines and
unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Azerbaijan following the Second
Karabakh War, Trend reports.


This issue was discussed by members of the Public Council under
the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) regarding
the recent series of mine incidents in the liberated
territories.


At the end of the discussions, the members issued a
statement.


"Recent mine incidents occurring consecutively in the
territories liberated from occupation have caused serious concern.
In the very first days of the new year, the second mine incident
has already been recorded. This fact once again shows that the mine
threat still remains real and ongoing.


In the period since the Second Karabakh War, 417 people have
been killed or have sustained bodily injuries of varying degrees as
a result of explosions of mines and unexploded ordnance. The
victims include civilians visiting the region, people engaged in
agriculture, workers participating in restoration and
reconstruction works, journalists, military personnel, as well as
employees of institutions performing their official duties.


As the Public Council under ANAMA, we once again draw attention
to the fact that entering uncleared areas, touching unknown
objects, and ignoring warning signs lead to severe and sometimes
irreversible consequences. Precisely in order to ensure safety and
prevent possible mine incidents, activities are being carried out
to temporarily conserve and fence off areas highly contaminated
with mines and other explosive ordnance. It's vitally important,
especially for those who carry out their daily activities in the
liberated territories, as well as for the population returning to
their native lands, to comply with the required rules.







Today, comprehensive work in the field of ensuring mine safety
is being continued by the state. We believe that in preventing the
mine threat, not only the responsible behavior of state
institutions but also that of every citizen is of decisive
importance. Observing safety rules is the most reliable way to
protect human life. Taking the above into account, we call on
everyone in the region, without exception, to operate only in
permitted and cleared areas, to take warning signs seriously, and
to immediately inform the relevant authorities when encountering
suspicious objects or situations involving mine risk.


There is nothing more valuable in the world than the protection
of human life. Indifference to the mine threat can lead to new
tragedies," the statement emphasized.


The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action was founded in
1998. It mobilizes the requisite resources to address mine action
in alignment with national needs and priorities, coordinates
inter-agency efforts for the safe clearance of mines from
de-occupied and war-affected regions, continues to conduct
research, clears mines from territories, and transfers them to end
users, while also communicating Azerbaijan's mine issue to the
global community and enhancing mutually beneficial collaboration
with international and donor organizations to combat the mine
threat.


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