| <ARMENIA | BAHRAIN> |
Key developments since May 2001: A general survey was carried out in 11 districts and found 50 million square meters of land to be affected by mines and unexploded ordnance; 84 minefields were identified and marked. With UNDP assistance, an Azeri National Strategic Plan for mine action was adopted in October 2001.
The Republic of Azerbaijan has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. Although it voted in favor of the 1996 pro-ban UN General Assembly Resolution, it has abstained on all subsequent resolutions in support of the Mine Ban Treaty, most recently on UNGA Resolution 56/24M on 29 November 2001.
The government’s policy position has not changed in recent years. “The Republic of Azerbaijan supports the idea of a comprehensive international legal document on the ban of use, storage and transfer of antipersonnel landmines...[but] Azerbaijan at present stage cannot become the party to the Convention, since it is deprived of the opportunity to fulfill the obligations stemming from it...[because of the] continuing occupation of 20% of Azerbaijan’s territories by the armed forces of Armenia and the remaining threat of resumption of hostilities.”[1]
In an October 2001 letter to the Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines (AzCBL), the Azeri Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vilayat Guliyev, said that despite the government’s support of the goals of the Mine Ban Treaty (Ottawa Convention), “There can not be any talk of Azerbaijan’s signing this Convention until the territories occupied by Armenia are liberated. For this reason the non-joining of Azerbaijan to this Convention must be explained by its incapability to fulfill the obligations put forward in the Convention.”[2]
Azerbaijan did not participate in the Third Meeting of States Parties in September 2001, nor in the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in January 2002. Azerbaijan did attend the May 2002 intersessional meetings, with representation from its Geneva Mission.
Azerbaijan is not a State Party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW). It did not attend the Third Annual Meeting of States Parties to Amended Protocol II to the CCW, or the Second CCW Review Conference, both of which were held in Geneva in December 2001. Azerbaijan continues to state, as it has in the past, that it considers the Conference on Disarmament as an appropriate forum for the discussion of antipersonnel mine issues.[3]
Azerbaijan has stated that it does not produce landmines and does not permit the transfer of mines through its territory.[4] When the Soviet army withdrew from Azerbaijan in 1992, it left landmines and other weapons behind. This is believed to be the source of Azerbaijan’s mine stockpiles, although the number of mines they possess is not known.
Landmines were used by all sides throughout the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,[5] and sporadically after the signing of the armistice in May 1994.[6] Landmine Monitor has not received any specific allegations of new use of antipersonnel mines during this reporting period (since May 2001). However, in December 2001, Azerbaijan implied ongoing use by both sides: “[W]hile the enemy broadly uses landmines in Azerbaijan’s territory, Azerbaijan is obliged to take appropriate measures as a deterrent factor.”[7]
The conflict with Armenia resulted in around 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory being occupied by Armenia; more than one million Azerbaijan citizens became refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs).[8] As reported in Landmine Monitor Report 2001, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) believes that up to 45 of Azerbaijan’s 65 regions may be mine-affected.[9]
In 2001, the International Eurasia Press Fund conducted a limited level one (general) survey on the territory of 11 districts where combat operations had occurred and which are close to the front line. The survey, which was funded by Norway, the United States, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), was completed in September 2001.[10] It found that some 50 million square meters of territory are affected by mines.[11] According to the Fund, 84 minefields were discovered and marked and the local populations were informed of the danger.[12]
The most heavily mine-affected areas are farmland and cropland, but mines are also found in the irrigation systems, river basins, and near high voltage power lines, wells with drinking water and approaches to them.[13]
A full-scale Landmine Impact Survey is scheduled to begin in September 2002.[14] The survey is being conducted through the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), and its local partner, the International Eurasia Press Fund. Financial support has been provided by the European Union through UNDP and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).[15]
Mine action funding for Azerbaijan for 2001 totaled about US$5.5 million, with contributions from the United States, European Commission, UNDP, Switzerland, and the government of Azerbaijan.
The US reports that in its fiscal year 2001, its total contributions to Azerbaijan mine action were $3.4 million. The State Department provided $1.1 million ($600,000 to extend the UNDP Mine Detection Dog program, $250,000 for demining equipment, and $250,000 to help establish a Mine Detection Dog capability within ANAMA). The Defense Department allocated an additional $2.3 million.
The European Commission reported funding of $1,460,226 for Azerbaijan in 2001, and Switzerland reported $60,000.[16] The Swiss contribution was in-kind donation of a mine awareness adviser ($50,000) and mine clearance equipment ($10,000).[17]
ANAMA indicates that it received $1.7 million in 2001, including $1,132,000 from the United States, $473,641 from UNDP, and $108,719 from the government of Azerbaijan.[18]
On 2 July 2002, wineries in the state of New York in the United States held an event to raise funds to clear mines and restore once-flourishing vineyards in the Fizuli region of Azerbaijan. The fundraising event, held at the UN headquarters, was organized by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, representing over 160 vineyards across New York State, and the nonprofit Humpty Dumpty Institute.[19]
The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action was created on 18 July 1998 to serve as the national mine action agency responsible for coordinating all aspects of mine action within Azerbaijan. This includes coordination, planning, priority-setting based on the needs of affected communities, enforcement of international standards, quality management, resource mobilization, and operations.[20]
ANAMA’s priorities are to clear areas with life-threatening dangers; support resettlement of IDPs through clearance of houses and infrastructure required to support communities; clear reconstruction sites as requested by aid and development agencies; and help provide for food security through the clearance of agricultural and grazing lands.[21]
In 2001, UNDP substantially increased its support to ANAMA. This included training local ANAMA staff in the use of the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) and translating IMSMA into Russian. UNDP is also assisting ANAMA in improving its level one (general) survey capacity.[22]
An Azeri National Strategic Plan was adopted in October 2001 and aims to create a basic mine action capacity for dealing with the problem in accessible areas. The goal is for ANAMA to manage most mine action projects and operational activities by January 2003, with minimal outside technical support. According to UNDP, ANAMA will receive further management and technical training in 2002. Two senior ANAMA staff members have completed the UNDP’s Management Training Course at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom.[23] To increase mine action capacity in 2002-2003, UNDP plans to increase the operational capacity by 38 deminers, six surveyors, and 10 EOD staff.[24]
In 2000, two national NGOs, Relief Azerbaijan and the International Eurasia Press Fund, were trained in mine survey and clearance. Since then, mine action achievements include the training of 38 national deminers, six national mine surveyors and five national instructors; 65 mine-affected communities with a total area of about 50 million square meters of mine- and UXO-affected areas have been identified. The primary beneficiaries have been 350,000 inhabitants of the affected communities, including IDPs and residents who remained in their area of origin.[25]
In 2001, a total of 896,143 square meters of land was cleared; 56 million square meters underwent general survey and 486,629 square meters underwent technical survey.[26] More than 1,165 items of unexploded ordnance, 45 antipersonnel mines and 22 antitank mines have been destroyed.[27]
Areas targeted for mine clearance have been: the high voltage power lines in the Fizuli district, water channels, houses, and two schools of the Goranboy district. As a result of clearance operations in the Fizuli district, some 26,000 people have returned to the area.[28]
The UK-based Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in April 2000 began training and supervising deminers and surveyors for Relief Azerbaijan. In mid-March 2001, Relief teams began clearance that allowed repairs to the national power line that runs 30 kilometers through the Fizuli district to the town of Horadiz.[29] MAG’s contract was completed at the end of November 2001, but it continued to support Relief up to 13 December 2001 at its own cost.[30]
Since the May 1994 armistice, Azerbaijan claims to have cleared 41,000 mines, including 19,000 antipersonnel mines and 22,000 antivehicle mines.[31]
Implementation of UNICEF's “Mine Awareness Education Project” continued during the reporting period in Azerbaijan, targeting the following 12 districts: Agdam, Agjebedy, Agstafa, Beylagan, Dashkesen, Fizuli, Goranboy, Kazakh, Kedabek, Khanlar, Ter-Ter, and Tovuz. The program was also carried out in the eight districts with concentrated settlements of IDPs: Jabrayil, Khojavand, Lachin, Khojali, Kelbadjar, Zangilan, Gubadli, and Shusha. As a part of this project, the US government supplied funding for mine awareness activities in the border communities of Azerbaijan most affected by mines and UXO.[32]
Program activities included production and dissemination of mine awareness materials, including three posters (26,382 in total), two leaflets (172,411 in total), a school notebook (99,415 in total), and a training manual. A mine awareness theater production for children was shown in 18 IDP/refugee settlements. A “train-the-trainers” course on mine risk education was given to 15 people, 800 teachers were trained in the use of the Mine Awareness Manual, and 500 health workers were trained in mine awareness. Finally, a needs assessment for mine survivors was carried out, resulting in the development of a proposal for a mine survivor support project (see below).[33] The UNICEF project is scheduled to continue through December 2003.
There are no comprehensive official statistics on mine casualties in Azerbaijan. The AzCBL reports that there were at least 25 new mine and UXO casualties in 2001; two people were killed and 23 were injured.[34] In 2000, ten mine incidents were reported; four people were killed and six injured.[35] According to the survey undertaken by ANAMA and the International Eurasia Press Foundation (IEPF), in the two years before the end of the survey (September 2001), 12 people were killed and 43 injured by landmines and UXO.[36]
The total number of mine casualties in Azerbaijan is unclear. Official state bodies and ministries do not give information to the public on mine casualties, or the number of people killed or injured during the war with Armenia. However, ANAMA reported a total of 1,222 mine/UXO casualties following the general survey of 11 districts carried out by the IEPF.[37] The majority of casualties were aged between 15 and 29.[38] The majority of mine casualties are believed to be civilians. According to a UNICEF press release in May 2001, approximately 65 percent of mine casualties are civilians.[39] Azerbaijan’s response to an Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) questionnaire supports this assertion.[40]
Mine incidents are also reported in the press. On 13 July 2001, a seven-year-old and 12-year-old were injured by a mine explosion in the Juhari Kurdmahmudu village of Fizuli district, and one child later died at the hospital.[41] In November 2001, a shepherd was injured by a mine while herding sheep in Gishlag village in the Agdam district.[42]
There have also been press reports of mine incidents involving military personnel in 2001. On 5 January 2001, a private was killed by a mine. In July 2001, two officers and a private were injured clearing mines in an area near a former Soviet military base. On 6 November 2001, two soldiers were injured and one was killed by a mine.[43]
On 3 July 2001, a deminer with Relief Azerbaijan lost two fingers of his right hand as a result of a mine incident.[44]
Medical and surgical facilities in Azerbaijan are believed to be adequate to treat mine casualties. Medical expenses for mine survivors and other persons with disabilities are covered by the Ministry of Health.[45]
In 2001, there were two orthopedic centers in Baku: one supported by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (MOLASP) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the government-run Prosthetic and Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center. In 2001, the MOLASP/ICRC Darnagul Prosthetic-Orthotic Center assisted over 632 patients, providing 292 prostheses, 545 orthoses, and more than 137 crutches, walking sticks, and wheelchairs; of fitted-amputees about 46 were mine survivors. In addition to receiving free treatment, transportation and meals for patients coming from the districts were provided. In July 2001, seven Azeri Orthopedic Technologists (Category II) graduated after completing an advanced training course recognized by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotists (IPSO).[46]
The government-run Prosthetic and Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center assisted around 7,000 people in 2001, free-of-charge, providing physical rehabilitation, prostheses, orthoses, and other assistive devices. Azerbaijan does not produce wheelchairs, so they must be imported. The number of mine survivors assisted at the Center is not available as they are registered more generally in the category of war-disabled.[47]
On 31 December 2001, the Darnagul Prosthetic-Orthotic Center ceased its activities. However, all the machines, equipment, and stock were handed over to MOLASP. ICRC-trained staff were also transferred to other facilities. In 2002, physical rehabilitation services will be decentralized with a new ICRC-supported rehabilitation center opening in Ganja, Azerbaijan’s second-largest city, and the upgrading of an existing workshop in Nakhichevan.[48]
Thirty-five NGOs are working with persons with disabilities in Azerbaijan. However, there are no programs focusing on mine survivors. AzCBL has plans to implement a special program to assist mine survivors.[49] UNICEF continues to seek funding of US$350,000 for a two-year survivor assistance program in Azerbaijan. The program would assist existing psychological rehabilitation centers, provide vocational training to mine and other war-wounded persons, and assist in the domestic production of wheelchairs and prosthetic devices. UNICEF already works with a network of 15 specialists providing psychological rehabilitation to mine and other war-wounded people in Azerbaijan.[50]
In April 1997, the Parliament of Azerbaijan adopted the Law of Prevention of Disability, Rehabilitation of Persons with Disability and their Social Protection. This Law applies to all persons with disabilities in Azerbaijan, including mine survivors.[51]
Following the Presidential Decree of 26 December 2001, some of the entitlements (free public utilities such as gas, electricity, water, and sewerage, free telephone installation and use, free use of transportation within the city and beyond, and the right to free medicine) were due to be replaced by a monthly payment of 90,000 Manats (approximately US$18).[52] Those disabled during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, some of whom are mine survivors, have been particularly badly affected as a result.
Prior to the issuance of the decree, there were hunger strikes by some of the disabled, a number of public attempted suicides, and violent clashes with the police, mostly involving members of the Karabakh War Invalids’ Society.[53]
| <ARMENIA | BAHRAIN> |
[1] Response to Questionnaire on Anti-Personnel Landmines, Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the OSCE, FSC.DEL/513/01, Vienna, 13 December 2001.
[2] Letter of Vilayat Guliyev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, to the Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines, Baku, 29 October 2001.
[3] Response to OSCE Questionnaire on Anti-Personnel Landmines, 13 December 2001.
[4] Letter of Minister of Foreign Affairs to AzCBL, Baku, 29 October 2001.
[5] Landmine Monitor Report 1999, pp.762-765; Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 800.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Response to OSCE Questionnaire on Anti-Personnel Landmines, 13 December 2001.
[8] Landmine Monitor Report 1999, pp.762-765; Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 800.
[9] Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 856; UNMAS, “Portfolio of Mine-related Projects,” April 2001, p. 53.
[10] Letter from the International Eurasian Press Fund to AzCBL, Baku, 11 January 2001.
[11] ANAMA, “Overview, Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) Annual Work Plan,” August 2001, accessed at www.mineaction.org on 15 June 2002.
[12] Letter from the International Eurasian Press Fund to AzCBL, Baku, 11 January 2001.
[13] Zerkalo (newspaper), 26 May 2001.
[14] Email from Survey Action Center, 24 July 2002.
[15] See the report of the Survey Action Center in the appendices to this edition of Landmine Monitor.
[16] Funding reported to United Nations Mine Action Investment database.
[17] See country report on Switzerland.
[18] “Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action, Work Plan 2001-2002, of August 2001,” at: www.mineaction.org.
[19] “Mine-Clearing Plan to Revive Vineyards,” Reuters, 14 June 2002.
[20] Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 766.
[21] UN Mine Action Website, Country Program: Azerbaijan, at: http://www.mineaction.org/.
[22] Country Programs — Azerbaijan, at www.undp.org/erd/mineaction/countries/azerbaijan.htm.
[23] Ibid.
[24] UNDP, “Support for Further Development of a National Mine Action Capacity for Azerbaijan,” January-December 2002, http://www.mineaction.org.
[25] Ibid.
[26] Email from Sayed Aqa, UN Chief Technical Adviser, ANAMA, 23 July 2002.
[27] UNDP, “Support for Further Development of a National Mine Action Capacity for Azerbaijan,”.
[28] AzCBL Coordinator Hafiz Safikhanov interview with Mejnun Namazaliyev, Deputy Administrator of Fizuli District Government, Horadiz settlement, Fizuli district, 21 December 2001.
[29] Mines Advisory Group, “Projects: Azerbaijan,” www.mag.org.uk.
[30] Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) Monthly Progress Report – 12/2001,www.mineaction.org/misc/searchresultdisplay.cfm?doc_ID=562.
[31] 525 gazet (daily newspaper), 29 June 2001; Response to OSCE Questionnaire on Anti-Personnel Landmines, 13 December 2001.
[32] “Mine Awareness Education in Azerbaijan,” www.mineaction.org/countries/_projects.cfm; 525 gazet, interview of Farhad Ibayev, ANAMA Press Officer, 26 October 2001.
[33] Ibid.
[34] Information on 16 casualties (2 killed and 14 injured) was collected during the IEPF survey which ended in September 2001. Four incidents resulting in 9 injuries were reported by UNICEF mine awareness teams in October and November.
[35] Information bulletin of AzCBL, N 7-12, 2000.
[36] See www.anama.baku.az:8101/pages/_1-1%20anama.dwt (accessed 21 July 2002).
[37] ANAMA’s summary bulletin for 2001.
[38] See www.anama.baku.az:8101/pages/_1-3-Scope.htm (accessed 21 July 2002).
[39] Joint press conference of the US Embassy in Azerbaijan and UNICEF Baku, 17 May 2001.
[40] Response to OSCE Questionnaire on Anti-Personnel Landmines, 13 December 2001.
[41] Zerkalo, 18 July 2001; Echo, 18 July 2001.
[42] Sharg, 24 November 2001.
[43] Express, 9 January 2001; Comsomolskaya Pravda – Baku, 18 July 2001; Echo, 7 July 2001.
[44] Zerkalo, 18 July 2001; Echo, 18 July 2001.
[45] Interviews with Shahnaz Hashimova, Deputy Chair, Department of Prevention of the Ministry of Health, and Col. Ramiz Melikov, Chair, Press Services of the Ministry of Defense, 17 December 2001.
[46] Interview with Shalala Ahmedova, ICRC Baku, 17 January 2002; ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Programmes Annual Report 2001, accessed at www.icrc.org; and ICRC Baku Information bulletin, January-November 2001.
[47] Interview with Shamsaddin Hudaverdiyev, Prosthetic and Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center, Baku, 17 January 2002.
[48] ICRC Special Report, Mine Action 2001, ICRC, Geneva, July 2002, p. 31; ICRC Monthly Bulletin, Azerbaijan – December 2001, January 2002, accessed at www.icrc.org.
[49] See Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 859.
[50] “Assistance for Mine Victims in Azerbaijan,” ICBL Portfolio of Landmine Victim Assistance Programs, accessed at www.landminevap.org.
[51] See Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 860.
[52] Halg (daily national newspaper), 27 December 2001.
[53] See accounts in newspapers, Sharg, 525, Azadlig, and Yeni Musavat, 20 February 2001.
