Azerbaijan’s Ombudsman appeals to int’l organizations over Armenian eco-terrorism

BAKU, NOV 7 (DN) - Sabina Aliyeva, Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan has appealed to the international organizations concerning the eco-terrorism of Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and its intentional fires aimed at destruction of forests of Shusha.

On 5 November 2001, November 6 was declared as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/56/4.

Unfortunately, it should be said that ecological terror does not bypass Azerbaijan either. As a result of the continued around thirty-year military aggression of Armenia, the nature, biological diversity, water reservoirs of Azerbaijan, as well as the environment of the areas under the occupation have been seriously affected, which consequently, caused to destruction and severe damage of the environment.

As a result of military operations and use of internationally prohibited weapons by Armenian armed forces, not merely the natural environment has been exposed to physical and chemical pollution, but various species of rare plants and animals, flora and fauna biodiversity have been destroyed.  Chemical pollution of fresh water sources resulted in violation of self-regulation process in rivers and lakes, as a result of which water ponds become more hazardous and dead zone.

Not surprisingly yet in 2006 the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/60/285 on “The situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan” has also called for assessment of and counteraction to short and long-term environmental degradation of the region.

In 2016 Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted Resolution No.2085 titled “Inhabitants of frontier regions of Azerbaijan are deliberately deprived of water”, demanding the immediate withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the concerned region and allowing access by independent engineers and hydrologists to carry out a detailed survey on the spot.

Within this period of time, natural resources in the occupied areas of Azerbaijan have been plundered, 163 mineral resources deposits, including gold, mercury, copper, lead, zinc, coal and others, also forest  cover, rare trees have been subjected to illegal exploitation by Armenia.

Starting from September 27, 2020, Armenian army continues its crimes against peace and humanity targeting the densely populated civilian settlements, social cultural and strategic objects of Azerbaijan by using heavy artillery special missile systems and banned weapons.

In response to another provocation and the continued occupation by Armenia, since 27 September 2020, Azerbaijani military successfully continued its counter-offensive operations to restore its territorial integrity in conformity with international law and universally recognized state borders as per Article 51 of the UN Charter and four relevant UNSC Resolutions (1993).

Targeting areas far from the frontline and the civilians who are not direct part of active hostilities and killing of many peaceful citizens, including children and women and even, shelling of historical, cultural and religious monuments, cemeteries with ballistic missiles and artillery are only one part of the crimes committed by Armenian armed forces.

The position of the Republic of Azerbaijan is based on the Article 51 of the UN Charter, four relevant UNSC Resolutions (1993) and the norms of international humanitarian law.

Due to continuing nearly 30-year eco-terrorism committed by Armenia in the occupied areas of Azerbaijan, at the present, a rare forest cover is being destroyed through deliberately firing the wild forests of Shusha with the use of toxic and difficult to extinguish substances.

The destruction of a unique ecosystem with a total area of more than 8,000 hectares, consisting of valuable and perennial dense forests of oak, juniper, beech, hornbeam, pine, ash, and walnut, is a hardest blow to endemic biodiversity. Hence, this means serious violations of the international treaties in relation to the protection of the environment, including the UN Convention on the Prohibition of military or any other hostile use of environmental modification techniques, to which Armenia is also a party. According to experts’ opinion, forest fires caused by white phosphorus bombs cannot be extinguished and putting out such fires naturally is not also possible, and so, such fires last long. This is environmental terrorism.

Taking into consideration all the above-mentioned facts, on November 6-the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, we call on international organizations, including all stakeholders acting for ecology and environmental protection to take all feasible measures in order to stop and to prevent the environmental terrorism committed and currently being continued by Armenia and to establish international legal responsibility of the aggressor State to prevent its recurrence.

This Appeal is addressed to the United Nations Secretary-General, United Nations Security Council, United Nations Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Office of High Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations Human Rights Council, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, United Nations Economic and Social Council, United Nations Development Programme, European Union, Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, International and European Ombudsman Institutions, Asian Ombudsman Association, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Ombudsman Association of its member states, Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, European Network of Ombudspersons for Children, International Peace Bureau, different ombudsmen and national human rights institutions, embassies of the Republic of Azerbaijan in foreign countries and the foreign embassies in Azerbaijan,  the Azerbaijani Diasporas and also to international environmental organizations.=DN

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Mən Hüseynəm... Armenian Terror Against Children - Watch Video

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New principles in relations among Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan

The war for the liberation of Karabakh opened a new page in the history of Azerbaijan. Apart from returning its lands, it also gives a chance to know the real partners in the political arena. In these hard times, Azerbaijan has seen Turkey and Pakistan standing with it during the war and before.

In the course of events, Pakistan introduced new content called “three countries, one nation” expressing the cordiality of the relations. Three countries united their efforts to end the occupation of Karabakh. Azerbaijani Armed Forces had always been ready to liberate its lands but lacked geopolitical situation and political support in 30 years.

Pakistan and Turkey held an unequivocal stance on the liberation of occupied Karabakh. They provided Azerbaijan political support and throughout the 30 years, they paid contribution to the enhancement of the military of Azerbaijan.

The support from strategic allies encouraged Azerbaijan to resist the enemy and pressures from regional powers. It once again tightened ties among them.

Trilateral mutual support

Azerbaijan has acquired support from Turkey and Pakistan for a long time on the Karabakh problem. As we know, Pakistan is the only country that doesn’t recognize the independence of Armenia for its aggression on Azerbaijan.

Turkey has a special role in the formation of the Azerbaijani army and trained officers. There exist programs for military education for Azerbaijani officers in Turkey. Apart from this, we should note that Turkey is one of the main arms suppliers of Azerbaijan.

There is one significant point that throughout history without whoever on the government, both countries supported Azerbaijan. It indicates the strength of relationships. Pakistani Defense Ministry generated new principles for the expression of trilateral relations. It sounds like “three countries, one nation”. It means they see each other as the same blood. Undoubtedly, it has a huge impact on their foreign policy.

Since 27 September when the military confrontations broke out in Karabakh, Turkey and Pakistan expressed their full support to Azerbaijan. The officials from both countries demanded the end of the occupation of Azerbaijani lands and respect to territorial integrity.

The head of Pakistani Armed Forces, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen. Nadeem Raza said that Pakistan Armed Forces fully support Azerbaijan’s position on Nagorno-Karabakh in his meeting with Azerbaijani ambassador Ali Alizada.

Along with the army, Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmoud Qureshi held a telephone conversation with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov over the situation and expressed solidarity with Azerbaijan in its rightful stance.

Turkey is the strategic ally of Azerbaijan and the main military partner. Turkish military and diplomatic offices make statements almost every day. Not only statemen but also many celebs and public figures expressed solidarity with Azerbaijan. Despite requiring its right and the fulfillment of UN resolutions, Azerbaijan faced some pressures by mainly France and Russia. Turkey in its turn responded to their stance against Azerbaijan.

Turkey’s authority keeps constant contact with foreign countries including Russia. On 21 October, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay stated that if Baku requires, Turkey won’t hesitate to send its soldiers for Azerbaijan.

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey has the same right as Russia to take part in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan receives pressures from different directions and it is hard to stand against each of them. In this condition, Turkey comes to help Azerbaijan and respond to all the unanswered questions.

The mutual support of the three countries doesn’t end in only Karabakh. There is Kashmir conflict and also Turkey’s position in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Erdogan raised the Kashmir conflict and called the fulfillment of UN resolutions at the UN Security Council on 22 September. Erdogan slammed the abolition of the special status of Kashmir which was made by the Indian government.

Azerbaijan also consistently supports Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir. The diplomatic circles of Pakistan have always valued this step and expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan.

Turkey’s right in the Eastern Mediterranean is another issue in mutual relations. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev openly voiced support of his state on Turkey’s stance. In November 2019, Pakistan joined with navy drills with Turkey. This step can be analyzed as Pakistan’s support.

The relations between the three countries are enhanced each day. Mutual support for each other and standing together against every challenge also spread to the relations among their people.

Flags on the Baku streets

People are carrying flags on their hands and put on the stores, apartments and cars for support to the army. In this hard time, some countries expressed full support to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani people hanged those flags along with their national flags.

During these days, when someone walks in the Baku streets, they will see mostly three flags and many times together, those are Azerbaijan, Turkish and Pakistani flags. The love for these nations was boosted inside of the people’s hearts.

The most interesting point is that these flags are not only seen in Baku, but also in other cities of Azerbaijan. The motivation of the army is one of the essential elements on the road to victory. Azerbaijani army receives motivation from the people. People also obtain it from friendly nations and their support. Azerbaijan hangs three flags symbolizing “three countries, one nation”. It is a way of expressing gratitude to them.

On social media, people posting three flags in the posts. It is a rare occasion that three countries respect each other that much not at the government level but also at the people’s level. Azerbaijani people also demonstrate reactions to the important events in Pakistan and Turkey. The events could be holidays, any achievements, or some disastrous events.

The question is why Turkey and Pakistan? Azerbaijan receives significant support from different countries but you may see mostly three flags. Because these two states defended Azerbaijan’s stance from the beginning. They have never played a game of words, they openly stated position on the conflict. They called it occupation and required the return of lands. Two states have always held a frank stance towards Azerbaijan. That’s why the Azerbaijani nation values its actions most.

Actually, there is no need for war for the proof of the relations among the three countries. Nevertheless, war is a test and it surfaces reality. The reality is that Pakistan and Turkey passed the test as a reliable partner.

Three states support themselves in every problem and see each other’s people as their own. After the liberation of Karabakh, we will notice the tighter rapprochement. Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan expressed their unity not in their words but in actions.

The silence of the international community on the injustice make states to maintain order by themselves. In such a kind of world order, we need to make alliances for our security. Three states have enough power and will have for solving their own problems by themselves.

The people of the three states will never forget mutual support and will value it in every form. The interrelations among them will make them powerful and quite strong against foreign pressures.

Ulvi Ahmadi

The writer is a Baku Based Journalist

who has a specialization in

Regional Affairs and Economy

(COURTESY DND NEWS)

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Fact sheet of Armenia’s destructive policy against Azerbaijan

 

On November 3, special mobile operation teams of Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) found two 122 mm D-4 white phosphorus (P-4) artillery munitions near Sahlabad village of Tartar region and neutralized them on the spot.

BAKU, NOV 2020 (DN) - Since September 27, 2020 the armed forces of Armenia have been targeting the civilian population, private houses and civilian infrastructure in Azerbaijan in a deliberate, widespread and systematic manner.

 

By doing so, Armenia grossly violates its obligations under international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions and its Additional Protocols as well as disregards the humanitarian ceasefire declared on October 10, 18 and 26.

 

On November 04, Armenia continued to launch attacks in various directions, including across the international border with Azerbaijan. During night hours the border regions of Azerbaijan – Tovuz and Agstafa were fired at from Berd region of Armenia.

 

Around 08 am, the armed forces of Armenia fired artillery shelled at Husanli and Gazyan villages of Tartar region, as well as Hajilar, Garakhanli and Boyat villages of Aghjabadi region. Later, Armenia continued shelling at the villages in Aghdam region.

 

On November 3, special mobile operation teams of Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) found two 122 mm D-4 white phosphorus (P-4) artillery munitions near Sahlabad village of Tartar region and neutralized them on the spot.

 

As of November 3, ANAMA found 317 unexploded ordnance (UXO), 1627 pieces of anti-personnel mines, 276 pieces of anti-tank mines, explosives of 460 anti-tank mines, 1173 pieces of 9N235 type bomblets (cluster munitions), 723 exploded missile parts and etc.

 

As of November 4, as a result of Armenia’s attack 91 civilians, including children, women and elderly were killed, 405 civilians have been hospitalized with serious injuries. Moreover, 2734 private houses, 98 apartment buildings and 500 civilian infrastructures were destroyed or damaged.=DN

Below are photos from ANAMA’s neutralization of D-4 (P-4) white phosphorus munitions. 

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Ali Alizada briefs Bernhard Schlagheck about Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan

 

ISLAMABAD, NOV 5 (DN) - Ambassador of Republic of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, Ali Alizada met with Bernhard Schlagheck, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Both ambassadors discussed matters of bilateral relations.

During the meeting Azerbaijan ambassador gave detailed briefing to German envoy Bernhard Schlagheck on violation of Armenian armed forces of International and humanitarian law due to which a large number of innocent Azerbaijani civilians martyred.

Later, Ambassador of Germany expressed his grief and prayed for the Azerbaijani people who lost their lives during the past battle days.

German envoy also said, that international powers have to come up and put sincere efforts to stop Armenia's attack on innocent civilians of Azerbaijan.=DN

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