Azerbaijan puts forward a new initiative on the mine problem at the UN Human Rights Council - PHOTO
On September 18, within the framework of the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), a special event dedicated to the protection of the rights of mine victims was held at Azerbaijan's initiative. The event on the topic "Beyond Survival - Restoring Dignity and Returning Rights," organized jointly by Azerbaijan's permanent mission in Geneva, Universal Human Rights and Algeria, featured remarks by the permanent representatives of Algeria, Mozambique and Uganda, representatives of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and other international organizations.
As the mission told AZERTAC, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UN Office in Geneva, Rovshan Sadigbayli, spoke at the event. According to him, Azerbaijan is one of the countries facing the severe consequences of the mine threat, and he spoke about the long-term impact of mines on people's lives and health and on the realization of their fundamental rights.
Elshad Iskandarov, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who delivered a report, noted that back in 2024 Azerbaijan put forward a special initiative aimed at restoring the fundamental rights of mine victims, and reported that as a result, in 2025 the HRC adopted the resolution "The impact of anti-personnel mines on the full enjoyment of all human rights."
The diplomat emphasized the need to adopt a new resolution aimed at moving from recognition of the rights of mine victims to their practical realization. Drawing attention to the scale of the mine problem faced by Azerbaijan, the speaker proposed practical mechanisms for meeting the needs of mine victims. "Surviving a mine explosion is only the first step. True justice means ensuring that survivors do not merely exist, but have the necessary opportunities for a full and prosperous life," said E. Iskandarov.
Those who spoke at the event supported Azerbaijan's proposals to increase contributions to the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action, as well as to strengthen support for the medical and psychological rehabilitation of victims and their socio-economic reintegration. The speeches also paid attention to the interconnection between mine contamination, climate change and human rights.
Participants in the discussion called for the noted proposals to be reflected in the new resolution being drafted on this topic at the UN Human Rights Council.
