We were deeply shocked to learn that on June 4 at about 11 o'clock journalists from TV channels and news agencies deployed to the liberated Kalbajar region were killed in “Kamaz” passenger vehicle as it hit a landmine planted by the Armenian armed forces. Anti-tank mine planted on the bus route to Susuzluq village of Kalbajar killed 3 people - Siraj Abishov (operator of AzTV channel), Maharram Ibrahimov (employee of "AzerTaj" news agency) and Arif Aliyev (Deputy representative of the Executive Power for Susuzlug village administrative district) and seriously injured 4 others.

During the First Garabakh War, several journalists on duty became victims of Armenian. At the same time, journalists faced very risky situations also during the Great Patriotic War. During the 44-day war, Armenian terrorists repeatedly opened fire on journalists despite the latter wearing professional jackets and caused severe injuries. Unfortunately, despite the fact that a few months have passed since the end of the war, the Armenian terror still continues, and today the media representatives are losing their lives.

The Azerbaijan National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum considers the deaths of Azerbaijani citizens in recent months from landmines and other explosive ordinances in areas liberated from Armenian occupation as a terrorist act against international law, humanity and peace.

Since the end of the war in November 2020, 85 of our citizens (including 16 civilians), including employees of the National Agency for Mine Action of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA), have been seriously injured, and more than 100 civilians and servicemen have been killed by the landmines.

After the war, official Baku repeatedly appealed to the Armenian leadership to provide maps of the areas with mines and explosive ordnances. Although the parties agreed to resolve all issues at the negotiating table, Armenia still does not provide maps of the mined areas in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, which seriously violates its obligations under international humanitarian law and is considered a war crime. Moreover, planting mines of residential areas, along rivers, at intersections and near cemeteries violates the 1949 Geneva Mine Action Convention and Additional Protocol I.

Azerbaijan National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum strongly condemns Armenia's approach that endangers lives of innocent civilians, as well as unequivocally prevents the start of reconstruction work in the liberated territories, ensuring lasting peace in our country and the region, as well the return of more than 1 million refugees and IDPs and we call on all parties to mobilize efforts to ensure a safe and peaceful environment in the region.

We call on the world community and international organizations to condemn Armenia for its rejection to share mine maps and to persuade official Yerevan to fulfill its obligations under the international law by providing information on the location of minefields.