Analysts in Baku assessed the effect of the resolution on mines
The UN Human Rights Council resolution on mines does not mean a direct increase in international assistance for demining in Azerbaijan, but it creates a new political basis for attracting funds, believes Tapdyg Farhadoglu. Real results depend on Baku's diplomatic efforts, noted Toghrul Juvarly.
As reported by “Caucasian Knot”, on October 8 in the village of Dagmashanly in the Jabrayil district, resident Orkhan Gahramanov and his father Ashraf Gahramanov were blown up by an anti-personnel mine exploded. According to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of mine victims since the end of the 2020 war has reached 443 people.
On October 6, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on the impact of anti-personnel mines on the realization of human rights and on enhancing assistance to victims without a vote. The document was co-authored by 70 states, including Azerbaijan, reported the state agency “AZERTAC” on October 7, citing the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Baku organized a public dialogue within the framework of the 63rd session of the Council and acted as a co-organizer of a parallel event dedicated to the mine problem, the agency's statement said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that “mines and unexploded ordnance pose a long-term threat to the lives and health of people, as well as hinder the return of former internally displaced persons and the restoration of conflict-affected territories.”
The document, as noted by the Azerbaijani side, emphasizes the connection between demining, human rights protection, sustainable peace, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Baku welcomed the Council's call for states to increase funding for demining and assistance to victims, including through alternative sources and public-private partnerships. Azerbaijani authorities describe the country as one of the most mine-contaminated in the world and advocate for increased international support.
Farhadoglu: the direct effect of the resolution is limited
Expert of the Turan Analytical Service Tapdyg Farhadoglu considers the adoption of the resolution important in terms of increasing international resources for demining. The issue is relevant for Azerbaijan, which bears these costs almost alone, he explained to “Caucasian Knot”.
“Azerbaijan, whose territory affected by armed conflict is literally filled with mines and unexploded ordnance, has to solve demining issues almost single-handedly. The state allocates quite a lot of resources. From November 2020 to September 2026, $590 million has been allocated for humanitarian demining in Azerbaijan. The share of international support in this funding was only $24 million, just 4 percent of the total amount. The remaining amount – 96 percent – was financed by the Azerbaijani government,” said Farhadoglu.
He pointed to problems in approaches to international financing. “Firstly, the global donor base is narrow and depends on a few participants: in 2024, the USA, Germany, the EU, Norway, and Switzerland together provided about two-thirds of international funding. Secondly, donors primarily direct resources to low-income countries or those experiencing an active humanitarian crisis. Azerbaijan's status as an upper-middle-income country and exporter of energy resources may require additional justification in the priority system of some donors. However, the degree of mine contamination should be prioritized over economic capabilities. It is important that the new resolution considers demining activities in a human rights context,” he said.
However, according to the analyst, the adoption of the resolution does not create conditions for a direct increase in international assistance to Azerbaijan. “The direct impact of this document appears to be quite limited: the resolution itself does not allocate financial resources and cannot automatically change the pace of demining,” noted the expert.
The main significance of the initiative lies in the realm of indirect influence, believes Farhadoglu. He identified two directions.
“Firstly, considering assistance to mine victims specifically in the context of human rights creates a new political basis. This allows linking demining and rehabilitation costs with priorities in social protection, healthcare, and sustainable development within the framework of Azerbaijan's future cooperation program with the UN for 2026–2030,” emphasized the analyst.
The second important tool the expert considers is attracting off-budget resources. “Secondly, the call for alternative financing and public-private partnerships creates a platform for negotiations with international financial institutions and foreign contractors. By participating in recovery projects, they can directly incorporate demining costs into the price of infrastructure projects,” he explained.
Juvarly: much depends on diplomats
Member of the Azerbaijani National Public Committee for Eurointegration Toghrul Juvarly believes that attracting additional funds for demining will also depend on Baku's diplomatic activity.
“Azerbaijan, conducting large-scale post-conflict demining, is creating and accumulating relevant experience that can be useful for other countries. In September of this year, ANAMA signed a memorandum with the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center. This certainly enhances Azerbaijan's diplomatic weight as a country sharing unique experience. The question is how well the government can utilize the opportunities of international cooperation in mine action to attract resources for developing the country's potential in this area,” said Juvarly.
ANAMA – the Azerbaijani Mine Action Agency. The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center is an intergovernmental structure within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It serves as a center for expert assistance and coordination in this area.
Juvarly also considers the introduction of new methods important. “Probably, as in other areas, new methods should also be introduced in demining, using AI and multi-spectral drones. In Azerbaijan itself, it is possible to establish the production of certain types of this and other mine action equipment,” he said.
Alongside financial and technological solutions, working with the civilian population should remain an important direction, noted the analyst. “Education should transform from one-off actions into a continuously operating ecosystem that combines school education, administrative control at entry points, and digital technologies. This should include a wide range of measures, from training community leaders to conducting outreach training for high-risk groups: farmers, shepherds, and builders. It is not enough to simply clear the land – people need to be taught how to live safely. If returning residents, shepherds, and farmers do not know what mines look like and how to behave, tragedies are inevitable. Therefore, education must work continuously – through school lessons, training for local residents, and outreach briefings,” said Juvarly.
The mine incident gave rise to continued hostility on social media
The publication about the mine explosion involving two residents of the Jabrayil district gathered 294 comments on the “Caucasian Knot” Facebook page*. Commenters, some of whom spoke on behalf of Azerbaijanis and others on behalf of Armenians, engaged in a fierce dispute filled with curses and insults.
“The Jabrayil district, where only Azerbaijanis lived, had no relation to the NKAO,” pointed out user Ali Aleskerov. “They don’t mine their own land...,” noted Gülnare Karakaya.
Users with Armenian names expressed glee under the publication about the Azerbaijani victims. Azerbaijani users shamed them for their joy over the death and suffering of people.
“The whole world sees this! This is certainly a minus for Armenia,” believes Asif Ilyasov. “Until all maps of minefields are handed over, the world (...) must not sign!” added Ali Aleskerov.
“Another question is whose mine was planted during the war? The main thing is that one must walk with fear on occupied lands,” wrote Armen Xasikyan. “Aliyev's friend Pashinyan handed him all the maps of minefields. So, claims should be directed at your (...) Ilham Aliyev,” stated Tigran Ter Grigoryanc.
“Recently, I read comments from Armenians on social media, and it can be concluded that they are our sworn enemies,” summarized Qəsəm Huseynov.
“Caucasian Knot” also reported that in August 2026, cases of people being blown up by mines increased in the former conflict zone of Karabakh. Analysts believe this is related to the expansion of agricultural and recovery work, the increasing number of returning residents, and the challenges of demining territories.