BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 15. President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has approved amendments to
several laws in connection with the implementation of the Law of
the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Mine Clearance Activities,” Trend reports.
The amendments, signed by the head of state, introduce changes
to a number of legislative acts to ensure more effective
enforcement of mine clearance regulations and related safety
measures.
Under the amendments, if a monument is discovered during
construction, economic, or other activities, including mine
clearance, all work must be immediately suspended. The relevant
authority designated by the appropriate executive body and the
designated scientific organization must be notified, after which
the authority and the scientific organization are required to
conduct research and carry out other measures stipulated by law
within two months.
In such cases, construction, economic, and other activities,
including mine clearance operations, may resume only with the
permission of the body designated by the relevant executive
authority, based on the opinion of the designated scientific
organisation and specialists.
If mine clearance activities are carried out in areas of
historical or archaeological significance, the territory will be
examined in advance by specialists, and preliminary research of
monuments will be ensured. The relevant authority designated by the
executive body will also ensure the participation of its
representative and specialists at the site where such activities,
including mine clearance, are conducted.
It is also stipulated that the protection of monuments
discovered during mine clearance activities in the city of Shusha,
as well as construction, restoration, repair, mine clearance, and
economic activities in historically and archaeologically
significant areas, will be carried out in accordance with the
requirements of the Law “On the Cultural Capital of Azerbaijan –
Shusha City.”
The amendments further expand the rights of victims in the field
of mine clearance activities related to the protection of public
health. In accordance with the Law “On Mine Clearance Activities,”
victims will be provided with specialized medical care in state
healthcare institutions at the expense of the state budget, or,
where services are included in the benefits package under the Law
“On Medical Insurance,” at the expense of compulsory health
insurance funds.
In addition, the amendments establish a legal basis for the use
of animals in mine clearance activities in Azerbaijan for the
purpose of detecting explosive ordnance. Provided that the
requirements of other regulatory legal acts are observed, animals
may be used for this purpose in accordance with standard operating
procedures.
Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News
Agency's WhatsApp channel
