Ombudsman issues statement over journalists' deaths in Kalbajar

Azerbaijan's Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) has made a statement over the death of civilians who were blown up by a mine planted by Armenians in the Kalbajar region.

Report informs that the statement reads:

"On June 4, journalists of the Azerbaijan State News Agency and Azerbaijan Television, who were filming in the territories liberated from the occupation, were blown up by a mine near the village of Susuzlug, Kalbajar region. Three people, including two journalists who performed their professional duties and an executive power official, died. Four others sustained various bodily injuries as the vehicle carrying them hit an anti-tank mine.

"Since the day of signing of a trilateral declaration on November 10, 2020, various types of mines and other explosive devices planted by Armenians through the years of occupation have caused the death and injury of over 120 people.

"The refusal of Armenia's political and military leadership to disclose maps of minefields that were once laid in the territories they occupied, as well as the laying of mines in civilian territories when the Armenian army left, recent attempts to lay new mines by sabotage and provocative groups indicate their interest in even greater human casualties and the creation of a new hotbed of conflict in the region.

"We are deeply concerned about this situation, which poses a serious threat to the life and health of people in the region. We have repeatedly expressed our concern to international human rights structures to set specific requirements before the Armenian leadership to prevent human casualties.

"I must note with regret that the failure to exert any pressure on Armenia in connection with the provision of maps of minefields becomes the cause of the death of innocent people every day. We believe that the relevant international human rights structures should not be indifferent to such a violation of human rights and take specific steps within their mandates.

"Turning again to the relevant international human rights structures, we urge them not to remain indifferent to such violations of human rights, to responsibly treat the requirements within the framework of their mandates, and to force the political and military leadership of Armenia to stop committing crimes.

"As an ombudsman institution, we will continue to work on exposing the grave crimes of the political and military leadership of Armenia that lead to gross violations of human rights and bringing them to justice."