LM Report 2006

Azerbaijan

Key developments since May 2005: For the first time, Azerbaijan voted in favor of the annual UN General Assembly resolution calling for universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty. Azerbaijan said it may provide a voluntary Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 transparency report. In 2005, Azerbaijan demined almost seven square kilometers of land, similar to productivity in 2004. During the first quarter of 2006, almost 2.3 square kilometers were demined. Reported casualties increased in 2005 from 32 to 59 owing to a single UXO incident that killed three people and injured 23 others. Two survivor assistance projects began in April-June 2006. Pensions for war-disabled people were increased in April 2006.

Mine Ban Policy

The Republic of Azerbaijan has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. Its policy toward banning antipersonnel mines and joining the treaty has evolved in the past two years. While it still states that it cannot accede until the conflict with Armenia has ended, Azerbaijan has shown greater signs of support for the mine ban and a willingness to discuss the landmine issue.

In June 2005, Azerbaijan told Mine Ban Treaty States Parties that it “has supported from the outset the idea of having a comprehensive international legal document on prohibition of use, stockpiling, production and transfer of antipersonnel mines.” It said that the Mine Ban Treaty has become “a powerful advocacy tool for making the international community aware of the mine problem and its consequences,” and has “raised the commitment of all involved to resolve the problem or assist others in its resolution.”^[1] In November 2005, Azerbaijan said it understood that “the anti-human nature of mines greatly outweighs their limited military advantage.”^[2]

In 2005, Azerbaijan also stated, “Azerbaijan believes that the complete prohibition and destruction of antipersonnel mines is the principal humanitarian goal. However, while being occupied by Armenian forces and having a threat of reactivating of hostilities, Azerbaijan is not able to join the Convention at this stage. Azerbaijan hopes that in the near future, when the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be resolved and the Azerbaijan territories liberated, it will be able to become a full member of the Ottawa Convention and to contribute to resolving the mine problem globally.”^[3]

On 8 December 2005, Azerbaijan for the first time voted in favor of the annual UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling for universalization and full implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty (UNGA Resolution 60/80). Explaining its positive vote on the draft resolution in the UNGA First Committee, it said, “During the past years, the Republic of Azerbaijan has abstained from voting for the Resolution.... Our country has been suffering from the landmine problem in consequence of the armed conflict resulted in the occupation of its territories. The Republic of Azerbaijan did not accede to the Ottawa Convention since our country was forced to use landmines as a measure of containment from possible resumption of hostilities... However, taking into consideration the humanistic goals of the Resolution, the Republic of Azerbaijan will demonstrate its will to support the global endeavor of making the world free of the menace of mines and vote in favour of Resolution A/C.1/60/L.56.”^[4]

In October 2005, at a regional mine action workshop in Georgia, Azerbaijan government representatives told participants that simultaneous accession to the Mine Ban Treaty with Armenia was not feasible because the two countries are “not on equal footing,” but they expressed Azerbaijan’s desire to move unilaterally toward accession.^[5]

Azerbaijan has stressed that it is already complying with many of the provisions of the Mine Ban Treaty. In November 2005, Azerbaijan told Mine Ban Treaty States Parties that Azerbaijan “does not produce, export, transit or place mines in addition to those already used in the conflict with Armenia. Azerbaijan has almost cleared mines from its borders with Turkey, Iran, Georgia and Russian Federation.”^[6] At the October 2005 regional mine action workshop, Azerbaijan officials reiterated that Azerbaijan does not produce or transfer antipersonnel mines, and stated that Azerbaijan does not intend to use antipersonnel mines in the future, while reserving the right to do so in the event of renewed hostilities with Armenia.^[7]

In June 2005, Azerbaijan said it was “considering some other obligations under the Convention which [it] could take without acceding.” It further said, “Apart from known limitations coming from national security concerns Azerbaijan is considering to provide transparency reports under Article 7 of the Convention.”^[8]

Azerbaijan participated in the Sixth Meeting of States Parties in Zagreb, Croatia in November-December 2005, sending for the first time a representative from the capital, Baku. Azerbaijan also attended the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in Geneva in June 2005 and May 2006.

Azerbaijan is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons or any of its protocols.

NGO Activities

The Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines (AzCBL) undertook a variety of activities in 2005 and 2006 in support of the landmine ban. The AzCBL issued quarterly news bulletins, organized several media briefings and a roundtable discussion, and met with government officials, members of parliament, international and local NGOs, and independent experts. Additionally, it presented an appeal to parliamentary candidates prior to the November 2005 elections urging all candidates to include the landmine issue in their platform and promote a mine ban once elected to parliament. The AzCBL launched its first website (www.azcbl.org) on 23 November 2005.^[9] A television advertisement informing the public about the Mine Ban Treaty was aired on national television in February 2006.

In 2005, the AzCBL participated for the first time in the Young Professionals International Mine Action Program sponsored by Mines Action Canada. Youth seminars were also held at Khazar University and the US-Azerbaijan Education Center to inform young people about the landmine issue and invite their engagement in the mine ban movement. A journalist and volunteer with the AzCBL participated in the International Youth Symposium in Zagreb during the Sixth Meeting of States Parties.

Production, Transfer, Stockpiling and Use

Azerbaijan has stated on several occasions that it does not produce or export antipersonnel mines.^[10] In June 2005, Azerbaijan said that it “is unilaterally committed to non producing and non accumulating” of antipersonnel mines.^[11] Azerbaijan’s landmine stockpile is a legacy of the Soviet era, but the number and types of landmines held is not known. All sides used landmines during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and sporadically after the signing of an armistice in May 1994. There have been no confirmed instances of use of antipersonnel mines since Landmine Monitor began reporting in 1999. As noted above, in October and November 2005, officials indicated Azerbaijan has not used antipersonnel mines since the end of open conflict with Armenia and does not intend to use them in the future, but does not rule out the possibility. Landmine Monitor is not aware of any specific legal measures Azerbaijan has taken to prohibit production, trade or use of antipersonnel mines.

Mine and ERW Problem

Azerbaijan is affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).^[12] The landmine problem is largely a result of the conflict with Armenia between 1988 and 1994. In addition, abandoned Soviet-era munition dumps and unexploded ordnance (UXO) also pose a significant threat.^[13] For instance, on 21 October 2005, a large explosion occurred in western Azerbaijan at a workshop set up by local people to collect UXO from former Soviet ammunition warehouses in Saloglu. At the workshop, ordnance was burned to destroy the explosive content and the shells were sold for scrap metal. About 100 mortars exploded, destroying the workshop and, according to information from local authorities, killing three people and injuring 23 more. Houses up to three kilometers away were reportedly damaged.^[14]

A Landmine Impact Survey in 2003 indicated that 18 of 65 districts in Azerbaijan were contaminated by landmines and UXO. More than half of the affected communities were located in Fizuli district in the west near Nagorno-Karabakh, and Aghstafa district in the northwest, where a Soviet army base was formerly located. The survey did not cover the Nakhchivan region or other small areas denied access by the military, in addition to areas under the control of Armenia, including Nagorno-Karabakh.^[15]

At the end of April 2006, almost 117 square kilometers of mined area and a further 47 square kilometers of battle area were identified.^[16] According to the UN, the contamination has become a substantial hindrance to the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts of the government, and to its efforts to encourage internally displaced persons to return and use the land.^[17] The extent of the problem in areas occupied by Armenian forces (Jabrayil, Zangilan, Gubadly, Lachin, Kelbajar, and parts of Fizuli and Aghdam districts) is not known, but is expected to be severe.^[18]

No detailed information has been made available regarding previous mine-laying by Azerbaijan on the borders with Turkey, Iran, Georgia and the Russian Federation, nor on demining activities conducted there and planned for coming years. Azerbaijan reported in November 2005 that mined areas in the border had been “almost cleared.”^[19]

Mine Action Program

National Mine Action Authority: There is no formally constituted national mine action authority in Azerbaijan. An interministerial working group was established in late 1999 under the directive of the deputy prime minister but it no longer meets.^[20] Its objectives were to review policy, procedure and performance of the mine action program and to make recommendations for improvement.^[21] According to the director of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), there is no longer a need for such meetings, as ANAMA itself is a body equal in status to a ministry, and issues that require the involvement of several ministries are resolved within a group convened by the ANAMA director.^[22] ANAMA has two working groups on mine risk education and victim assistance; when necessary these groups hold their own meetings.^[23]

Mine Action Center: ANAMA was established in compliance with a presidential decree issued in July 1998, as a national agency to oversee all mine/UXO-related issues in the country. In April 1999, an agreement was signed between the government and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) on financial and technical support to the joint Azerbaijan Mine Action Program. ANAMA established its head office in Baku and two regional offices in Fizuli and Khanlar.^[24]

ANAMA uses version 2.2 of the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA).^[25] In October 2005 and March 2006, four ANAMA operations department staff participated in training courses organized by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) to familiarize operations staff with version 4.^[26]

Apart from the 1998 decree, no national legislation governing the mine action program has been adopted, although there has been a draft law since 2002. ANAMA reports having developed national mine action standards based on International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).^[27]

After mine clearance operations are finished, about 10 percent of the territory is sampled for quality control by ANAMA personnel. If no explosive ordnance is found to a depth of 20 centimeters, the entire area is considered cleared. ANAMA uses mine detection dog teams to quality assure cleared land.^[28] Cleared land is handed over through ANAMA certificates given to representatives of local authorities and municipalities.^[29] ANAMA is said to guarantee “99.9 percent security” of cleared land.^[30]

Strategic Planning and Progress

A National Strategic Plan, adopted in October 2001, was revised on 24 November 2003 to cover the period 2004-2008, taking into account the results of the LIS. According to the UN, Azerbaijan’s mine action strategic plan aims to further strengthen and expand mine action capacity in Azerbaijan. Specific objectives include supporting mechanical demining, strengthening strategic planning, management, coordination and control of operational activities, and revising standing operating procedures in accordance with national standards and IMAS.^[31]

In 2005, the Ministry of Economic Development drafted a plan for socioeconomic development for 2006-2008. It included mine action and was approved by the government, becoming part of the overall strategy for ensuring macroeconomic stability and sustainable development in Azerbaijan. ANAMA’s role in the plan’s implementation includes responsibility for:

• reducing the number of deaths and injuries from mine incidents;
• promoting the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs);
• facilitating rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructure; and,
• supporting food security.^[32]

It was reported in the media in December 2004 that ANAMA intended to clear all Azeri territory not occupied by Armenian forces of mines and ERW by 2007.^[33] ANAMA believes that to clear mines from the occupied territories if, and when they return to Azerbaijan’s control will take several years. The World Bank is said to estimate that between five and 10 years would be needed.^[34]

Clearance priorities are set each year in ANAMA’s annual workplan, ostensibly according to the results of the LIS. Requests for clearance and the action determined as a result are reported regularly on ANAMA’s website. It is not clear what criteria are used for determining priorities.  The annual workplans for 2005 and 2006 were based on the revised National Strategic Plan.^[35]

According to the government, “Territories where ANAMA conducts clearance operations are of high economic importance. Lands of Ganja-Gazakh and Upper Garabagh are significant primary resources. Fizuli and Aghstafa districts have unique opportunities for viniculture. There is a real background for foreign investment for clearance and recovery of former vineyards. Bee farming and silk raising, unique fields of agricultural activity in Azerbaijan are also concentrated in Fizuli. Raising of cotton and first class grain crops could be further developed in Goranboy district. These all will allow employment of a great number of refugees and become bases for rapid and effective development and rehabilitation of war-torn areas. This is also predefined with fact that the major part of IDPs had been always involved in agriculture.”^[36]

Evaluations of Mine Action

In November-December 2005 the World Bank conducted a mission to Azerbaijan to evaluate ANAMA’s work, at the request of Azerbaijan’s executive political body, the Cabinet of Ministers. According to ANAMA, the evaluation found that the organization was “an efficiently structured and well-functioning organization operating in accordance with international standards for demining activities. With its existing organizational setup, ANAMA can reasonably be expected to achieve the objectives of the current Mine Action Plan, namely certifying by the end of 2008 that all land in the ‘liberated territories’ is mine-free, provided the necessary funding is provided during the next three years.”^[37]

In June 2006, the European Commission (EC) conducted a mission to Azerbaijan to evaluate the projects it has supported.^[38]

Demining

As in previous years, mine clearance operations in Azerbaijan were carried out by two national NGOs, Relief Azerbaijan (RA) and the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF), both contracted by ANAMA, and by an ANAMA UXO clearance team. RA operated a 38-member demining team, supported by mine detection dogs, mostly in Fizuli and Aghjabedi districts.^[39] IEPF also operated a 38-member demining team supported by mine detection dogs in Terter district. ANAMA’s 15-member UXO clearance team operated in Fizuli, Aghstafa and Aghdam districts.^[40]

Identification and Fencing/Marking of Mine/ERW-affected Areas

Technical survey in 2005 and early 2006 was carried out in Fizuli, Terter, Aghdam and Aghjabedi districts, through a combination of manual, mine detection dog and mechanical assets. When a technical survey team encounters a mine, the area is marked off for subsequent clearance.^[41]

From 2002 to December 2005, a total of 5,788,554 square meters of land had been marked for clearance by technical survey teams. Mine markers include wooden pickets and stones.^[42]

Mine and ERW Clearance

In 2005, a total of 6,914,904 square meters was demined in Azerbaijan, according to data for each operator reported by ANAMA.^[43] This includes some 2.5 square kilometers of mine clearance and three square kilometers of battle area clearance and battle area reduction. As a result of these operations, 10 antipersonnel mines, 44 antivehicle mines and 5,221 items of UXO were found and destroyed.^[44] This is a significant increase over 2,434,656 square meters reported demined in 2004.^[45]

Area Cleared (square meters) and Mines/UXO Destroyed in Azerbaijan in 2005

Operator	Mine clearance	Antipersonnel mines	Antivehicle mines	Battle area clearance/ reduction	UXO	Area reduced by technical survey
RA	822,324	3	15	0	34	355,360
IEPF	758,947	3	21	0	20	162,813
ANAMA	918,686	4	8	3,004,832	5,167	891,667
Total	2,499,957	10	44	3,004,832	5,221	1,409,840

In 2005, RA’s operations resulted in 423,475 square meters being manually cleared and 398,849 square meters cleared by mine detection dog operations.^[46]

ANAMA claims that the period from the start of clearance operations in 2002 to the end of 2005 resulted in the clearance of 21,527,417 square meters of land and the destruction of 131 antipersonnel mines, 121 antitank mines and 11,452 UXO.^[47] ANAMA reported that, “The organizations, equipment, training, drills and procedures and operations have been designed to achieve maximum safety. A Quality Assurance system is in place to maximize quality within the Azerbaijan Mine Action Program and to cover project components.”^[48] It was reported that over 320 “specialists” worked at ANAMA in 2005.^[49]

A mixture of manual, mine detection dog and mechanical clearance assets are used in Azerbaijan. ANAMA has three demining machines, which were in use in Fizuli district in 2005.^[50] In August 2005, ANAMA received the remote-controlled Rhino demining machine, donated by the US Department of Defense, which was also used in Fizuli district. In 2006, ANAMA was due to receive a remote-controlled explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robot device from the US Department of Defense.^[51] ANAMA also received a Bozena-4 machine and there were plans to procure an MB-4 flail from Croatia.^[52] The donation of five mine detecting dogs to ANAMA by the Marshall Legacy Institute was reported in 2005, making a total of 22 dogs owned by ANAMA.^[53]

On 14 September 2005, ArmorGroup arrived in Azerbaijan to replace the US commercial company, RONCO Consulting Corporation, which had completed its mission. RONCO was contracted by the US Department of State in September 2001 to assist with training and equipping ANAMA personnel to create a national mine detecting dog capacity.^[54] ArmorGroup provided technical advice for a house clearance training course started by ANAMA on 6 March 2006. The training was designed for clearing houses of individual explosive devices and booby-traps, following a number of requests from affected communities.^[55]

On 18 November 2005, ANAMA officially launched the Clearance of Unexploded Ordances in Saloglu project. Saloglu, in Aghstafa district, was the site of the largest Soviet military ammunition warehouse in the Caucasus region, which was abandoned when the Soviet military withdrew in 1991. Subsequently, there were a number of explosions, scattering large amounts of munitions, which have created a significant social, economic and environmental problem for this region and resulted in 148 incidents in recent years, including 80 injuries and 31 deaths.^[56]

The Saloglu UXO clearance project is a Partnership for Peace project of the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA). The total cost was estimated at over €1 million (some US$1,244,900) over 16 months.^[57] An official opening ceremony for the project was held on 18 November 2005. Turkey is the lead nation responsible for coordinating the project. In addition to Azerbaijan, Australia, Finland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey, US and UNDP are reported to have provided funding.^[58]

The project aims to clear 5.6 square kilometers of land around the villages of Saloglu and Poylu, and recycle any non-explosive UXO as scrap metal. Funds from the sale of scrap metal will be contributed to the social development of the community; some 100 local people will be employed on the project.^[59] A total of 36 UXO clearance personnel were trained by ANAMA for the project in December 2005-January 2006. Clearance operations started on 14 February 2006.^[60] By mid-March, ANAMA reported clearance of 555,316 square meters of land and neutralization of over 2,000 UXO.^[61]

During the first quarter of 2006, deminers cleared 2,283,823 square meters of land. In addition, 272,350 square meters were mechanically prepared for clearance. A total of 3,861 mines and UXO (two antipersonnel mines, two antivehicle mines and 3,857 UXO) were destroyed. Demining assets deployed consisted of 22 mine detection dogs, 138 deminers, 15 machine operators, eight medical staff, nearly 100 auxiliary workers and three demining machines.^[62] During 2006, ANAMA planned to clear 11 square kilometers of land, including the Saloglu project.^[63]

ANAMA reported that no deminers were killed or injured in demining accidents during 2005.^[64] In early 2006, two accidents were reported: in March, a deminer from the Azerbaijan army was injured while trying to reach a wounded soldier near the front line with Armenia; and on 10 April 2006, a UXO clearance operator was injured as a result of a UXO explosion in Saloglu village. ^[65] All deminers are insured in Azerbaijan.^[66]

Mine Risk Education

Organizations involved in mine risk education (MRE) in Azerbaijan in 2005 included ANAMA, the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UNICEF, and the two national clearance NGOs, RA and IEPF.

During 2005, RA gave 29 MRE sessions, IEPF 10, and ANAMA two; a total of 2,209 people in 88 villages in “frontline districts” participated.^[67] School-based MRE was also undertaken. Community-based MRE in 2005 involved 32,797 people from 63 communities in three districts (Terter, Khanlar and Aghdam), including 2,767 teachers and 10,467 schoolchildren; 3,500 MRE materials were distributed during these events. In these targeted districts, 59 MRE committees with 512 members have been established. The committees are tasked with determining at-risk groups in their localities and providing MRE. ANAMA planned to evaluate the performance of the MRE committees in 2006.^[68]

The Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society with ICRC support implemented the safe play area project in 2005. Playgrounds in 15 mine/ERW affected villages in eight districts (Aghdam, Gazakh, Tovuz, Aghjabedi, Fizuli, Khanlar, Goranboy and Terter) were opened in November 2005.^[69] Children were involved in designing the safe play areas and in developing mine/ERW safety messages for other children. In June 2005, as preparation for the safe play area project, an MRE workshop was organized.^[70] In 2006, the project planned to build 10 more safe play areas. The project is funded by the Norwegian Red Cross.^[71]

ANAMA coordinates MRE-related activities with relevant ministries, agencies and NGOs. Meetings have been held on a monthly basis for the preparation of MRE materials and the integration of MRE into curricula of targeted schools.^[72] ANAMA developed national MRE standards based on IMAS and uses IMSMA for MRE reporting and planning.^[73] ANAMA’s MRE strategy was described in last year’s Landmine Monitor report.^[74]

During 2005, ANAMA and UNICEF organized a joint workshop to train volunteers from the Azerbaijan Children Organization, who were tasked with facilitating two summer camps for mine survivors and their children. ANAMA provided an MRE refresher course for teachers in Khanlar and Terter district education departments. In June 2005, ICRC and the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society organized an MRE workshop for 16 volunteers.^[75]

Radio and television is not used in Azerbaijan to support community-based MRE, due to a lack of funds. Large billboards and road signs are used to raise public awareness of mines and UXO; from 2002 to 2005, 297 MRE billboards and 15 road signs were installed in 74 communities in nine districts.^[76]

In 2006, ANAMA planned to establish MRE committees in 10 targeted districts, finalize the integration of MRE into curricula of 100 schools, monitor 590 schools, and develop and distribute MRE materials.^[77]

Funding and Assistance

From donor reports, Landmine Monitor estimates that Azerbaijan received international donations totalling $4,100,776 for mine action in 2005, compared to $3,213,666 in 2004.^[78] Donors in 2005 were:

• Canada: C$15,430 ($12,736) to the AzCBL for advocacy;^[79]
• UK: $105,040 through ITF for support to two projects with ANAMA;^[80]
• US: $3,983,000, consisting of $3,500,000 from the Department of State and $483,000 from the Department of Defense.^[81]

ANAMA had a budget of $4.4 million for 2006, including AZN760,000 (approximately $840,000) from the government.^[82] The US reports having allocated some $17 million to mine action in Azerbaijan from 2000-2005 inclusive.^[83] In July 2005, ANAMA said that the US Department of State had warned it will end financial support in 2008 if land occupied by Armenia is not liberated.^[84]

Landmine Casualties

In 2005, ANAMA recorded 59 new landmine/UXO casualties from 16 incidents, including 10 killed and 49 injured. Thirty casualties were children, including two killed. Four casualties (one killed and three injured) were military personnel and 55 were civilians (nine killed and 46 injured). Five of the incidents were attributed to antipersonnel mines, six to antivehicle mines, four to UXO, and one was caused by an unknown item.^[85] This represents an increase from the 32 new landmine/UXO casualties (13 killed, 19 injured) recorded by ANAMA in 2004.^[86] This increase is attributable to a single UXO incident which accounted for 26 casualties (three killed and 23 injured).^[87]

The AzCBL reported 64 new mine/UXO casualties in 2005, including 11 people killed and 53 injured; at least 28 of the casualties were children (two killed); 10 were military casualties (three killed and seven injured).^[88]

Casualties in 2005 were reported in Baku and Ganja cities, and in the districts of Aghdam, Aghjabedi, Aghstafa, Fizuli, Goranboy, Gedebey, Tovuz and Terter. On 14 May, an F1 hand- grenade exploded in a school in Ganja city, killing one student and injuring 11 others. On 3 December a man and a boy were injured when their tractor hit an antivehicle mine while plowing a field in Aghdam district. Military casualties included one soldier injured by an antipersonnel mine in Goranboy district on 27 March; one soldier injured by an antivehicle mine on 10 May in Terter district; and one soldier killed and another injured by an antipersonnel mine on 17 August in Terter district.^[89]

According to the Committee of Soldiers’ Families, there were 19 landmine casualties among military personnel from 1 January 2004 to 1 April 2005.^[90]

Casualties continued to be reported in 2006. ANAMA reported seven people injured in five landmine/UXO incidents and two demining accidents. Two ANAMA deminers and four military personnel were among the injured. Three incidents involved antipersonnel mines, one UXO, and one was unknown.^[91] The AzCBL reported 13 new mine/UXO casualties (one killed and 12 injured) from January to June 2006.^[92]

ANAMA uses IMSMA to record mine/UXO incidents and casualties; it collects new casualty data primarily through district administrative officials and its network of district representatives; information is also received from news media and national NGOs.^[93]

The total number of landmine casualties in Azerbaijan remains unknown. As of April 2006, ANAMA had recorded 1,372 mine/UXO casualties, including 351 killed and 1,021 injured.^[94] From September 2001 to January 2006, at least 71 incidents led to 48 people killed and 101 injured.^[95] ANAMA estimates that there have been 3,000 mine/UXO casualties in Azerbaijan in 11 districts; about 1,300 people were killed.^[96] The 2004 ANAMA Countrywide Mine/UXO Victim Needs Assessment Survey identified 1,883 mine survivors.^[97]

There are also mine survivors in Azerbaijan from the war between the former USSR and Afghanistan, although the total number is not known.^[98]

Survivor Assistance

ANAMA coordinates survivor assistance activities through its Mine Victim Assistance Strategy and working group which includes representatives of relevant government ministries and organizations, including the AzCBL.^[99] As of May 2006, the last meeting of the working group was in April 2005, due to the overall ANAMA workload.^[100]

Medical and surgical facilities in Azerbaijan are believed to be adequate to treat mine casualties, with experienced physicians and ambulance services available.^[101] All medical and rehabilitation expenses for mine survivors and other people with disabilities are covered by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.^[102] Physical rehabilitation services are provided through a network of centers. Although no accurate figures are available for people with disabilities in Azerbaijan, ICRC estimated that approximately 40,000 people are in need of physical rehabilitation services.^[103]

Following a planning seminar in 2004 facilitated by ICRC, a second meeting was held in 2005 to develop a long-term strategy for the decentralization of rehabilitation services.^[104] ICRC funded an external assessment to devise a more efficient strategy; the report was submitted to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection in December 2005.^[105] ICRC also financed an external evaluation of physical rehabilitation services in Azerbaijan.^[106] In May 2006, a victim assistance assessment was conducted in Nakhchivan region.^[107]

In September 2005, two experts from Slovenia’s Institute for Rehabilitation and an ITF representative visited rehabilitation services in Azerbaijan. The assessment was that rehabilitation centers were adequately equipped, but medical staff would benefit from additional training.^[108]

In Baku, the Center for the Rehabilitation of Invalids of the Republic provides medical and physical rehabilitation, diagnostics and psychosocial support. In 2005, 82 of the 649 people referred to the center were mine survivors. The government opened a satellite center in Sumgayit in 2004 and another in Sheki city in 2005.^[109]

ICRC supports three government-run orthopedic centers in Baku, Nakhchivan and Ganja with technical advice and training for technicians to remedy the lack of staff capacity.^[110] In 2005, the three centers provided rehabilitation for 9,280 people, including 5,383 amputees, produced 1,248 prostheses (at least 125 for mine survivors) and 2,397 orthoses (at least 20 for mine survivors), and provided 2,029 pairs of crutches and 210 wheelchairs.^[111] Seven landmine survivors attended the center for the first time.^[112] The Ahmedly Prosthetic Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center in Baku delivered 100 prostheses and 17 orthoses to survivors, and Nakhchivan center delivered 25 prostheses and three orthoses to survivors.^[113] However, the Ahmedly center found that as awareness of the services grew, the volume of patients also grew, leading to waiting lists. Wheelchairs are not produced in Azerbaijan and must be imported at great expense. Crutches, canes and other basic mobility equipment produced at the center are reportedly of low quality, and patients often search for alternative sources.^[114]

In May 2005, ICRC obtained an agreement that Chechen mine survivors would receive free assistance in rehabilitation centers in Azerbaijan; 18 were assisted in 2005.^[115]

With assistance from the government of Slovenia and the ITF, one landmine survivor from Azerbaijan underwent rehabilitation treatment at Slovenian Institute for Rehabilitation in February-March 2006.^[116]

A project proposal from the national NGO Shafali Eller was chosen for implementation as a seven-month pilot project starting in June 2006; this is the first completely national effort under the ANAMA mine victim assistance program. The project is a response to needs identified by ANAMA’s 2004 countrywide needs assessment of mine survivors. The project aims to provide 100 mine and 100 UXO survivors with 20-day treatment periods at sanatoria. The budget for the project is $53,606 ($51,053 from the European Commission and $2,553 from ANAMA).^[117]

The IEPF was awarded $69,540 in early 2006 by the US Department of State for a landmine survivor project in Terter district. The project aims to establish a local association for survivor peer support, provide management, computer and lobbying skills, and encourage entrepreneurship.^[118]

On 1 April 2006, the AzCBL began implementation of a 15-month project, Creating Economic Opportunities for Landmine Survivors, with financial support from the Swiss Foundation for Landmines Victims Aid. The total budget was €15,267 ($19,006). It was planned to target some 400 survivors’ families identified through AzCBL’s 2004 needs assessment in eight districts for a micro-credit scheme in Tovuz, Terter and Fizuli districts and Ganja city.^[119] ITF supported members of the AzCBL to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina to learn from similar projects implemented by Landmine Survivors Network.^[120]

From July to September 2005, UNICEF supported two summer camps for about 120 child mine survivors and children from mine-survivor families in Azerbaijan.^[121] Summer camps were planned for 2006 as part of the ongoing cooperation between ANAMA and UNICEF.

Disability Policy and Practice

The 1997 Law on Prevention of Disability, Rehabilitation and Social Protection of People with Disability protects the rights of all people with disabilities in Azerbaijan, including mine survivors.^[122] The law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, education and access to healthcare, or the provision of other state services. However, discrimination in employment occurs. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare are responsible for issues relating to people with disabilities.^[123]

Following the cancellation of many benefits in January 2002, the living conditions of people with disabilities reportedly deteriorated.^[124] However, on 1 April 2006, disability pensions for those disabled by war were increased by between 50 and 100 percent for all disability levels.^[125]

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[1] “Azerbaijan and Ottawa Process,” statement delivered by Shirin Rzayeva, Public Relations Officer, Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention, Geneva, 13 June 2005.
[2] Statement by Galib Israfilov, Head of Division, Department of Security Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sixth Meeting of States Parties, Zagreb, 28 November 2005.
[3] “ANAMA 2005,” forwarded by Nazim Ismayilov, Director, ANAMA, Baku, undated, p. 3.
[4] Azerbaijan, “Explanation of Vote on Resolution A/C.1/60/L.56,” undated but 28 October 2005, www.anama.baku.az, accessed 15 June 2006.
[5] Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines (AzCBL), “Information Bulletin 3,” November 2005, pp. 2-3. On 5-6 October 2005, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ANAMA participated in the workshop “Confidence-Building and Regional Cooperation through Mine Action,” in Tbilisi, Georgia, organized by the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF), and sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Canada, the Netherlands and Slovenia. The AzCBL also participated. Email from Luka Buhin, Program Manager for Macedonia and Caucasus, ITF, 3 July 2006.
[6] Statement by Galib Israfilov, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sixth Meeting of States Parties, Zagreb, 28 November 2005.
[7] AzCBL, “Information Bulletin 3,” November 2005, p. 3.
[8] “Azerbaijan and Ottawa Process,” statement delivered by Shirin Rzayeva, ANAMA, Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention, Geneva, 13 June 2005.
[9] The website includes information about the history and current situation of the landmine problem in Azerbaijan, AzCBL activities, AzCBL quarterly news bulletins, a regularly updated tally of new landmine victims in Azerbaijan, and links to the websites of partner organizations and other related sites, the Azerbaijan report from the Landmine Monitor and the Mine Ban Treaty in Azeri, English and Russian.
[10] See statement by Galib Israfilov, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sixth Meeting of States Parties, Zagreb, 28 November 2005; Ilham Gouliyev, “Azerbaijan might join Ottawa Convention,” Kaspi (newspaper), 30 December 2005.
[11] “Azerbaijan and Ottawa Process,” statement delivered by Shirin Rzayeva, ANAMA, Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention, Geneva, 13 June 2005.
[12] Under Protocol V to the Convention on Conventional Weapons, explosive remnants of war are defined as unexploded ordnance and abandoned explosive ordnance. Mines are explicitly excluded from the definition.
[13] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 667.
[14] ANAMA, “ANAMA responds to violent explosion in Aghstafa,” 26 October 2005, www.anama.baku.az, accessed on 10 March 2006.
[15] “Landmine Impact Survey: Republic of Azerbaijan,” Survey Action Center, Washington DC, December 2003, p. 6; see Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 925.
[16] ANAMA, “Monthly Report April 2006,” p. 1, www.anama.baku.az, accessed 5 June 2006.
[17] UN, “Country Profile: Azerbaijan,” www.mineaction.org, accessed 20 January 2006.
[18] ANAMA, “Briefing for Donors,” Baku, 7 April 2005; ANAMA, “Mine/UXO Contamination and Areas of Clearance Operation,” Baku, 2005.
[19] Statement by Galib Israfilov, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sixth Meeting of States Parties, Zagreb, 28 November 2005.
[20] Interview with Nazim Ismayilov, ANAMA, Baku, 17 March 2006.
[21] UN, “Country Profile: Azerbaijan,” www.minesaction.org.
[22] Email from Emil Hasanov, Manager, Operations Department, ANAMA, 6 June 2006.
[23] Interview with Nazim Ismayilov, ANAMA, Baku, 17 March 2006.
[24] UN, “Country Profile: Azerbaijan,” www.minesaction.org.; UN, “2006 Portfolio of Mine Action Projects,” New York, p. 53.
[25] Telephone interview with Emil Hasanov, ANAMA, Baku, 22 March 2006.
[26] ANAMA, “ANAMA staff trained in IMSMA V4.0,” www.anama.baku.az, accessed 14 March 2006; email from Emil Hasanov, ANAMA, 6 June 2006.
[27] Telephone interview with Emil Hasanov, ANAMA, 20 February 2006; UN, “Country Profile: Azerbaijan,” www.minesaction.org.
[28] Telephone interview with Emil Hasanov, ANAMA, 13 January 2006.
[29] Interview with Aziz Aliyev, Manager, Information Department, ANAMA, 12 April 2006.
[30] ANAMA, “ANAMA guarantees 99.9% of security at the cleared off mines lands [sic],” Trend (information agency), 4 April 2006.
[31] UN, “Country Profile: Azerbaijan,” www.minesaction.org.
[32] Government of Azerbaijan, “Mine action integrated in state socio-economic development plan,” Press Release, 22 September 2005, www.reliefweb.int, accessed 10 March 2006.
[33] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 667.
[34] R. Ibrahimkhalilova, “Reno Harnish estimated the work of ANAMA highly,” Echo, 5 April 2006.
[35] Interview with Nazim Ismayilov, ANAMA, 14 February 2006.
[36] Government of Azerbaijan, “Mine action integrated in state socio-economic development plan,” Press Release, 22 September 2005, www.reliefweb.int, accessed 10 March 2006.
[37] Aide-mémoire on the evaluation mission of the World Bank representative, Jacques Bure, 28-29 December 2005, reported in an email from Emil Hasanov, ANAMA, 6 June 2006.
[38] ANAMA, “EC Mission evaluates ANAMA’s activity,” 15 June 2006, www.anama.baku.az, accessed 17 June 2006. The results were not available before publication of Landmine Monitor Report 2005.
[39] Email from Shahin Ibrahimov, Director, RA, 3 February 2006.
[40] Telephone interview with Samir Poladov, Operations Officer, ANAMA, 20 February 2006.
[41] Telephone interview with Emil Hasanov, ANAMA, Baku, 14 April 2006.
[42] Email from Emil Hasanov, ANAMA, 2 June 2006. There were some discrepancies in the data reported: ANAMA reported that 6,914,629 square meters were demined, although the subtotals add to 6,914,904 square meters, and that 15 antipersonnel mines, 41 antivehicle mines and 5,342 UXO were destroyed, although subtotals add to 10, 44 and 5,221 respectively.
[43] Email from Shahin Ibrahimov, RA, 3 February 2006; telephone interview with Samir Poladov, ANAMA, 20 February 2006.
[44] Interview with Emil Hasanov, ANAMA, Baku, 13 January 2006; ANAMA, “Monthly Report for January 2006;” AzCBL, Information Bulletin 4,” February 2006.
[45] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 669.
[46] Email from Shahin Ibrahimov, RA, 3 February 2006.
[47] Email from ANAMA’s Press Service, No. 61, 9 January 2006; AzCBL, “Information Bulletin 4,” February 2006.
[48] ANAMA, “Mine/UXO Contamination and Areas of Clearance Operation,” Baku, 2005, p. 9.
[49] Interview with Abid Sharifov, Deputy Prime Minister, Olaylar (information agency), 21 November 2005.
[50] Interview with Nazim Ismayilov, ANAMA, Baku, 13 February 2006.
[51] US Department of State, “United States Reinforces Azerbaijan’s Landmine Clearance Efforts,” Press Release, 19 January 2006.
[52] Email from Emil Hasanov, ANAMA, 2 June 2006; “ANAMA Demands Additional Funds For Expansion Of Demining Activities,” Azer-Press (Baku) 18 May 2006; “ANAMA Purchased New Special Technique for Clearing Mine-Studded Areas,” Azer-Press (Baku) 23 May 2006.
[53] Interview with Nazim Ismayilov, Trend, 18 January 2006; M. Mamedov, “Two Million Dollars for Demining of the Territory,” Zerkalo, 19 January 2006; US Department of State, “United States Reinforces Azerbaijan’s Landmine Clearance Efforts,” Press Release, 19 January 2006.
[54] ANAMA, “ArmorGroup to Replace RONCO in Azerbaijan,” www.anama.baku.az, accessed 16 September 2005.
[55] ANAMA, “House clearance training,” www.anama.baku.az, accessed 14 March 2006.
[56] “NATO joins mine clearance in Azerbaijan,” AzerTAC, 2 December 2005; AzCBL, “Information Bulletin 4,” February 2006; ReliefWeb, “Azerbaijan: UXO clearance project to start,” 14 November 2005, www.reliefweb.int, accessed 15 June 2006.
[57] The total project cost has been reported variously as €1.16 million ($1,444,084), in NATO, “NATO/PfP project to clear unexploded ordnance in Azerbaijan,” Press Release 144, 18 November 2005, www.nato.int, accessed 16 June 2006; and €1,047,649 ($1,304,218) in, “NATO joins mine clearance in Azerbaijan,” AzerTAC, 2 December 2005, and AzCBL, “Information Bulletin 4,” February 2006. Average exchange rate for 2005: €1 = US$1.2449, used throughout this report. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2006.
[58] NATO, “NATO/PfP project to clear unexploded ordnance in Azerbaijan,” Press Release 144, 18 November 2005; see Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 673.
[59] “NATO joins mine clearance in Azerbaijan,” AzerTAC, 2 December 2005; AzCBL, “Information Bulletin 4,” February 2006.
[60] Telephone interview with Emil Hasanov, ANAMA, Baku, 13 January 2006.
[61] “Demining underway in Saloglu,” AzerTAC, 11 March 2006.
[62] Email from Press Services of ANAMA to AzCBL, No. 67, 10 April 2006; AzCBL, “Information Bulletin 4,” February 2006.
[63] “830 square kilometres of areas in Azerbaijan mine-contaminated,” Trend, 1 February 2006.
[64] Interview with Nazim Ismayilov, ANAMA, Baku, 13 February 2006.
[65] “Three Azerbaijani soldiers hit Armenian landmines, two’s legs [sic] amputated,” Today.Az (online Azeri press agency), 30 March 2006; email from Dr. Rauf Mamedov, Victim Support Officer, ANAMA, 7 June 2006.
[66] Interview with Nazim Ismayilov, ANAMA, Baku, 20 June 2005.
[67] Email from Musa Jalalov, MRE Team Leader, ANAMA, 30 May 2006; Musa Jalalov and Vagif Sadigov, “Mine Risk Education in Azerbaijan,” Journal of Mine Action, Vol. 9.1, August 2005, p. 2. During 2004, RA gave 16 MRE sessions, IEPF gave eight and ANAMA provided six sessions to a total of 4,159 people in 88 villages. This was not reported in Landmine Monitor Report 2005.
[68] Emails from Musa Jalalov, ANAMA, 14 April 2005 and 28 February 2006.
[69] Interview with Herbi Elmazi, Mine Action Delegate, ICRC, Baku, 22 December 2005; AzCBL, “Information Bulletin 4,” February 2006; ICRC, “Special Report, Mine Action 2005,” Geneva, June 2006, p. 15.
[70] Email from Herbi Elmazi, ICRC, 17 May 2006.
[71] Interview with Herbi Elmazi, ICRC, Baku, 22 December 2005; AzCBL, “Information Bulletin 4,” February 2006.
[72] Interview with Musa Jalalov, ANAMA, Baku, 21 February 2006; ANAMA, “Work Plan” and “Mine Risk Education,” www.anama.baku.az, accessed 29 May 2006.
[73] Email from Emil Hasanov, ANAMA, 22 March 2006; UN, “Country Profile: Azerbaijan,” www.minesaction.org; email from Musa Jalalov, ANAMA, 30 May 2006.
[74] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, pp. 670-671.
[75] Email from Musa Jalalov, ANAMA, 30 May 2006; email from Herbi Elmazi, ICRC, 17 May 2006.
[76] Emails from Musa Jalalov, ANAMA, 28 February and 30 May 2006.
[77] Email from Musa Jalalov, ANAMA, 28 February 2006.
[78] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 672.
[79] Mine Action Investments database; email from Carly Volkes, DFAIT, 7 June 2006. Average exchange rate for 2005: US$1 = C$1.2115. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2006.
[80] ITF, “Annual Report 2005,” pp. 12-17, 43; ITF, “Use Of Donations by Countries in Year 2005,” in email from Iztok Hočevar, Head of International Relations Department, ITF, 11 May 2006. The UK reported a total contribution of £600,000 ($1,092,000) to ITF for multiple country projects including Azerbaijan; email from Andrew Willson, Department for International Development, 20 March 2006. Average exchange rate for 2005: £1 = US$1.820, US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2006.
[81] USG Historical Chart containing data for FY 2005, by email from Angela L. Jeffries, Financial Management Specialist, US Department of State, 20 July 2005.
[82] Telephone interview with Sabir Safarov, Financial Manager, ANAMA, 14 April 2006. The Azerbaijani New Manat came into existence on 1 January 2006 at a rate of US$1 = AZN0.8974, National Bank of Azerbaijan, www.nba.az, accessed 8 June 2006.
[83] Speech by Rino Harnish, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, ‘‘Azerbaijan’s 22 million sq. meters area cleared from UXO and mines,’’ Azer-Press, 4 April 2006; Department of State, “Media Note,” Office of the Spokesman, Washington DC, 19 January 2006.
[84] Interview with Nazim Ismayilov, ANAMA, Baku, 20 July 2005; see Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 672.
[85] Email from Dr. Rauf Mamedov, ANAMA, 7 June 2006.
[86] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 673
[87] The incident occurred in an unofficial workshop processing munitions taken from the Saloglu ex-Soviet base. Email from Dr. Rauf Mamedov, ANAMA, 7 June 2006; “ANAMA responds to violent explosion in Aghstafa,” 26 October 2005.
[88] AzCBL, “Information Bulletin 4,” February 2006, p. 6.
[89] Email from Dr. Rauf Mamedov, ANAMA, 7 June 2006; “Mine explosion kills and injures soldiers from the National Army,” Zerkalo, 18 August 2005.
[90] Interview with Rosa Aligizi, Chairperson, Committee of Soldiers’ Families, Baku, 21 April 2005.
[91] Email from Dr. Rauf Mamedov, ANAMA, 7 June 2006.
[92] Email from Hafiz Safikhanov, Coordinator, AzCBL, 30 June 2006.
[93] Email from Dr. Rauf Mamedov, ANAMA, 7 June 2006.
[94] ANAMA, “Monthly Report April 2006,” June 2006.
[95] Email from ANAMA Press Services, No. 64, 7 February 2006; Xazar Altay, “34 mine and UXO destroyed,” Ekspress, 8 February 2006.
[96] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 674; Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 929.
[97] ANAMA, “Azerbaijan Mine Victim Needs Assessment Survey Report,” 6 May 2005, p. 1.
[98] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 674; Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 930.
[99] Email from Dr. Rauf Mamedov, ANAMA, 7 June 2006.
[100] Email from Hafiz Safikhanov, AzCBL, 31 May 2006; email from Dr. Rauf Mamedov, ANAMA, 7 June 2006.
[101] See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 930.
[102] Interview with Ilgar Abdullayev, Director, Ahmedly Prosthetic and Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center, Baku, 13 February 2006.
[103] ICRC, “Physical Rehabilitation Program-Annual Report 2005,” Geneva, July 2006, p. 28.
[104] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 674; ICRC, “Annual Report 2005,” Geneva, June 2006, p. 222.
[105] ICRC, “Physical Rehabilitation Program-Annual Report 2005,” Geneva, July 2006, p. 28.
[106] ICRC, “Annual Report 2005,” Geneva, June 2006, p. 222; ICRC, “Special Report, Mine Action 2005,” Geneva, May 2006, p. 23.
[107] Telephone interview with Herbi Elmazi, ICRC, Baku, 4 May 2006; email from Didier Cooreman, Ortho-Prosthetist, ICRC, Baku, 23 May 2006; ICRC, “Special Report, Mine Action 2005,” Geneva, May 2006, p. 23.
[108] ITF, “Annual Report 2005,” p. 47.
[109] Interview with Elchin Huseynov, Director, Center for the Rehabilitation of Invalids of the Republic, Baku, 13 February 2006.
[110] ICRC, “Physical Rehabilitation Program-Annual Report 2005,” Geneva, July 2006, p. 28.
[111] ICRC, “Annual Report 2005,” Geneva, June 2006, p. 223; ICRC, “Special Report, Mine Action 2005,” Geneva, May 2006, p. 23; ICRC, “Physical Rehabilitation Program-Annual Report 2005,” Geneva, July 2006, p. 28.
[112] Interview with Ilgar Abdullayev, Ahmedly Prosthetic and Orthopedic Rehabilitation Center, Baku, 13 February 2006.
[113] Email from Didier Cooreman, ICRC, 23 May 2006.
[114] AzCBL, “Information Bulletin,” No. 3, November 2005, p. 2.
[115] ICRC, “Physical Rehabilitation Program-Annual Report 2005,” Geneva, July 2006, p. 28; ICRC, “Annual Report 2005,” Geneva, June 2006, p. 222; see Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 675.
[116] ANAMA, “Landmine victim from Azerbaijan will receive rehabilitation treatment in Slovenia,” 1 March 2006, www.anama.baku.az; ITF, “Annual Report 2005,” p. 47; email from Luka Buhin, ITF, 3 July 2006.
[117] Emails from Dr. Rauf Mamedov, ANAMA, 6 and 7 June 2006.
[118] US Department of State, “New Grants to Reinforce U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action,” Washington DC, 7 March 2006; email from Dr. Rauf Mamedov, ANAMA, 30 May 2006.
[119] Email from Hafiz Safikhanov, AzCBL, 31 May 2006. Average exchange rate for 2005: €1 = US$1.2449. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2006.
[120] AzCBL, “Information Bulletin 4,” February 2006, p. 4.
[121] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 675.
[122] See Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 860.
[123] US Department of State, “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2005: Azerbaijan,” Washington DC, 8 March 2006.
[124] See Landmine Monitor Report 2005, p. 675.
[125] Interview with Salim Muslimov, Head, State Social Protection Fund, ANS TV, 13 March 2006.