Neil Watson: Necessary to support Azerbaijan in demining territories liberated from occupation

It is necessary to support Azerbaijan’s important initiative to clear mines from the territories liberated from occupation, UK journalist and civil society activist Neil Watson said, Report informs.

"There’s no doubt that landmines are a major scourge of the world. They are indiscriminate. They claim victims of all ages and of all sexes, and they stay in the ground for many, many decades after conflicts have taken place and peace treaties have been signed. And this is particularly the case in Azerbaijan, which has liberated 20% of its territory from Armenian control after 30 years. And now there are 30 years’ worth of landmines that have to be cleared before anybody can even consider rebuilding and going back home. So, I urge you to support this very important initiative, and I wish it great success," he noted.

A number of foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society activists are collecting signatures for the petition "Global Initiative for a Mine-Free World."

The petition was posted on the international platform JotForm as part of the international campaign "World for Peace in Caucasus."