Azərbaycan Respublikasının
BMT yanında
Daimi Nümayəndəliyi

Permanent Mission
of the Republic of Azerbaijan
to the United Nations

633 Third Avenue, Suite 3210, New York, N.Y. 10017
Tel.: (212) 371-2559; Fax: (212) 371-2784

Statement by Mr. Shahriyar Hajiyev

First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations

at the Security Council open debate on "Children and Armed Conflict: Effective Strategies to End and Prevent Grave Violations Against Children"
26 June 2025

Madam President,

We would like to thank Guyana for convening today’s open debate dedicated to the pressing issue of children affected by armed conflict. It is both regrettable and alarming that, according to the report of the Secretary-General (A/79/878–S/2025/247), violence against children in situations of armed conflict has reached unprecedented levels over the past year.

The rising trend of grave violations against children calls for the strict and consistent implementation of international humanitarian law, complemented by obligations under international human rights law.

Madam President,

Azerbaijani citizens, including children, were subjected to numerous war crimes, crimes against humanity, acts of genocide and other grave breaches of international humanitarian law during the armed aggression of Armenia in the 1990s. The war claimed the lives of tens of thousands, and more than 1 million people became IDPs and refugees. The armed attacks on civilians and civilian objects in my country in late 2020 further resulted in the death of 101 and the injury of 423 civilians, including 12 children. Additionally, about 4,000 persons went missing in connection with the conflict, including more than 70 children. Furthermore, in violation of international humanitarian law, 267 persons, including 29 children, were taken hostage, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Since the end of the occupation and conflict, 25 mass graves and remains of 179 individuals have been found. These graves shed light on the willful killing of civilians and other protected persons under international humanitarian law. The fate of most of the missing persons has yet to be clarified.

It should be emphasised that impunity for grave violations committed against children in armed conflict remains a matter of serious concern, which necessitates enhancing accountability measures and ensuring justice. Our country has taken decisive steps to investigate and prosecute numerous atrocity crimes committed, including those linked to missing persons and children, in full accordance with its legislation and international obligations.

At the same time, the end or cessation of active conflict does not necessarily eliminate threats to or alleviate the suffering of children in post-conflict settings. The Secretary-General’s report highlights that incidents of children being killed or maimed by landmines and explosive remnants of war continue to occur in appalling numbers. This tragic reality constitutes yet another serious post-conflict humanitarian problem in our country. Since the early 1990s, more than 3,400 people have fallen victim to landmines, including 362 children and young persons. Even after the end of the conflict in 2020, 394 people have become mine victims, of whom 70 people were killed and 324 were seriously injured, including 14 children and young persons.

In his statement yesterday, it is regrettable that the representative of Armenia made reference that is in manifest contradiction with the facts and the ongoing efforts to promote peace and security in our region. Repeating false narratives is counterproductive to the normalisation process. We again remind that what was erroneously called “Nagorno-Karabakh” is part of Azerbaijan's internationally recognised sovereign territory, the legal name of which is the Garabagh Economic region. It is required to be referred to as such by international law, and the normalisation of inter-state relations should be based on that. 

Madam President,

In conclusion, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to international humanitarian and human rights law and remain dedicated to fostering an environment conducive to the protection and development of children, including shielding them from the consequences of armed conflict.

Thank you