Armenia

Cluster Munition Ban Policy

Last updated: 13 August 2022

Summary

Non-signatory Armenia says it cannot accede to the Convention on Cluster Munitions until its dispute with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh and other territories is resolved. Armenia has participated in meetings of the convention, most recently in September 2021. It voted in favor of a key annual United Nations (UN) resolution promoting the convention in December 2021.

Armenian forces used or supplied cluster munitions to Nagorno-Karabakh forces who used them in September-October 2020 on Azerbaijan, during the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia denied this use and has long stated that it does not produce, export, stockpile, or use cluster munitions, and has no intent to do so.

Policy

The Republic of Armenia has not acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Armenia says that it cannot consider joining the convention until its conflict with Azerbaijan is resolved, including the status of the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.[1] Nagorno-Karabakh is claimed by Azerbaijan but under the control of a breakaway governing authority.

Armenia did not participate in the Oslo Process that created the Convention on Cluster Munitions.[2]

Armenia has participated as an observer in several meetings of the convention, most recently the Second Review Conference held in November 2020 and September 2021. This marked Armenia’s first participation in a meeting of the convention since 2014.[3] Armenia did not elaborate its views on the convention but drew attention to Azerbaijan’s use of cluster munitions in October 2020.[4]

In December 2021, Armenia voted in favor of a key United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution that called on states outside the Convention on Cluster Munitions to “join as soon as possible.”[5] In 2020, Armenia voted in favor of this annual UNGA resolution promoting the convention for the first time. Previously, Armenia abstained from voting on the resolution in 2015–2019.

Armenia is not party to the Mine Ban Treaty or the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW).

Production, transfer, and stockpiling

In 2012–2014, Armenia stated several times that it did not produce, export, stockpile, or use cluster munitions and had no interest in doing so.[6] However, the 2020 conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh strongly suggests that Armenia has acquired cluster munitions and used them. A representative of Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied in November 2022 that Armenia possesses cluster munitions.[7]

Armenia reportedly acquired six BM-30 Smerch multi-barrel rocket launchers from Russia in 2016 and 2017.[8] Use of these weapons in 2020 indicates that Armenia received the 300mm Smerch cluster munition rocket variant, which contains 72 9N235 or 9N210 fragmentation submunitions.

Use

There is no evidence that Armenia used cluster munitions in 2021 or during the first half of 2022.

Armenia last used cluster munitions in September–October 2020 during fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh. There is compelling evidence that Armenian forces used Smerch cluster munition rockets or supplied them to Nagorno-Karabakh forces who used them in attacks in Gizilhajili on 3 October; in Tapgaragoyunlu on 23 October; in Kebirli on 24 October; in Garayusifli on 27 October; and in Barda on 28 October.[9]

In a statement to the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 25 November 2020, Armenia did not deny using cluster munitions in the conflict, but focused attention on Azerbaijan’s use of cluster munitions.[10] A representative from Armenia’s Ministry of Defense said on 28 October that reports and allegations of cluster munition use by Armenia in Barda were “groundless and false.”[11]

There is evidence that at least two types of ground-fired cluster munition rockets were used in Nagorno-Karabakh in the first week of April 2016, during fighting across the line of contact separating local Armenian-backed separatists and Azerbaijani forces. Armenia’s Ministry of Defense published photographs showing the remnants of 300mm Smerch cluster munition rockets that it claimed were fired by Azerbaijani forces into Nagorno-Karabakh.[12]

There is cluster munition contamination in Nagorno-Karabakh dating from the 1988–1994 conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.[13] There are also reports of cluster munition contamination in other occupied parts of Azerbaijan, adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh, which are under the control of Armenian forces.[14]

(See separate Monitor Ban Policy profile on Nagorno-Karabakh for more information.)



[1] Letter No. 19/06300 from Armen Yedigarian, Director, Department of Arms Control and International Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 29 April 2010; and Letter No. 13/15938 from Arman Kirakosian, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), 5 November 2008. Both letters asserted that Azerbaijan “still stores a significant quantity and uses the Cluster Munitions.” As of May 2018, the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia stated, “Azerbaijan is a country which still stores a significant quantity of cluster munitions.” In 2014, Armenia said that it hopes to join the convention, but not at this time due to the security situation in the southern Caucasus and the “war-like attitude of Azerbaijan.” Statement of Armenia, Convention on Cluster Munitions Fifth Meeting of States Parties, San Jose, 3 September 2014. Notes by the CMC.

[2] For details on Armenia’s policy and practice regarding cluster munitions through early 2010, see ICBL, Cluster Munition Monitor 2010 (Ottawa: Mines Action Canada, October 2010), pp. 193–194.

[3] Armenia participated as an observer in the convention’s Meetings of States Parties in 2011–2012 and 2014, as well as at intersessional meetings in 2013.

[4] Statement of Armenia, Convention on Cluster Munitions Second Review Conference, held virtually, 25 November 2020.

[5]Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions,” UNGA Resolution 76/47, 6 December 2021.

[6] Letter from Samvel Mkrtchian, Department of Arms Control and International Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 13 March 2012; statement of Armenia, Convention on Cluster Munitions intersessional meetings, Geneva, 16 April 2013; and statement of Armenia, Convention on Cluster Munitions Fifth Meeting of States Parties, San Jose, 3 September 2014. Notes by the CMC.

[7]Armenia: Cluster Munitions Used in Multiple Attacks on Azerbaijan,” Human Rights Watch (HRW), 15 December 2020.

[8] Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Arms Trade Database, report for Armenia by supplier, 2010–2017; and Emil Danielyan, “Russia details fresh arms supply to Armenia,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 19 February 2016.

[10] Statement of Armenia, Convention on Cluster Munitions Second Review Conference, held virtually, 25 November 2020.

[13] Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence in 1991, but is not recognized by any UN member state. Prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the parliament of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Province voted in 1988 to secede from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic and join the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, which resulted in armed conflict from 1988–1994.

[14] There are reports of cluster munition contamination in the Fizuli, Terter, and Tovuz districts. Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines (AzCBL), “Cluster Munitions in Azerbaijan,” undated.


Mine Ban Policy

Last updated: 28 September 2022

Policy

The Republic of Armenia has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty.

According to its statements and government officials, Armenia cannot join the treaty until its territorial dispute with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh has been resolved. In June 2021, Armenia told the president of the Mine Ban Treaty that it values the treaty but has not signed it as the decision is linked to “the security environment in our region” and the “principle of reciprocity.”[1]

In 2010, Armenia told the Monitor that it supports the treaty and values the idea of transparency and confidence-building measures, but “cannot become a member of the Mine Ban Treaty at this moment.”[2] Armenia participated in the 1996–1997 Ottawa Process that created the Mine Ban Treaty, but did not attend the Oslo negotiations. Armenia was present at the treaty’s signing conference as an observer.

Armenia has attended several meetings of the Mine Ban Treaty, most recently the Nineteenth Meeting of States Parties held virtually in November 2021, as an observer.[3]

In December 2021, Armenia voted in favor of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 76/26 promoting universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. [4] It has also voted in favor of previous annual resolutions on the treaty.

Armenia is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) or the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Production, transfer, and stockpiling

Armenia has stated several times that it has never produced or exported antipersonnel mines.[5]

Armenia inherited a stockpile of landmines from the break-up of the Soviet Union, but has not provided information on the size or composition of this stockpile, as such information is regarded as sensitive.[6]

On 17 September 2022, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense released a statement, along with a video, claiming to have found 100 Armenian-made PMN-E antipersonnel mines,[7] eight PMN-2 antipersonnel mines, and 10 antitank mines on territories and supply roads between the positions of Azerbaijani army units.[8] The claim that Armenia is producing antipersonnel mines is a recent development and has not been confirmed by non-Azerbaijani sources. Armenia has denied these claims and stated in a letter to the Security Council, dated 13 September 2022, that Azerbaijan was “disseminating false information…in preparation for launching armed aggression.”[9]

Use

Armenian officials have stated that Armenia last used antipersonnel mines during the 1992–1994 conflict with Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.[10] It regards landmines laid along its border with Azerbaijan as essential to its defense.[11] This presumably includes and applies to the occupation by Armenia of seven districts of Azerbaijan—outside of the Nagorno-Karabakh region but adjoining Armenia—until late 2020.

Azerbaijan alleges past use by Armenia, and also alleges that it used antipersonnel mines during fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh and other occupied districts in September–November 2020. In April 2021, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement alleging that “during almost three decades of occupation of the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan, Armenia deliberately laid mines in these territories, as a result of which there had been numerous casualties among the Azerbaijani military and civilians.” Moreover, it alleged that “Armenia also deliberately planted mines on a massive scale during its forced withdrawal following the counter-offensive operation of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan.”[12]

At the Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings in June 2021, Armenia denied using antipersonnel mines during the 2020 conflict—and stated that during their withdrawal, Armenian forces lacked the time possible to mine areas that subsequently came under Azerbaijan’s control.[13] According to Armenia, the majority of territory taken by Azerbaijan in 2020 was heavily mined by Azerbaijan when it previously controlled those areas in the early 1990s.

On 27 May 2021, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces captured six Armenian soldiers that it said were attempting to lay mines in the settlement of Yukhari Ayrim, in the Kalbajar border region.[14] Armenia’s Ministry of Defense said that the soldiers were detained while carrying out “engineering work.”[15] Armenia’s acting prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, told a government meeting that the Armenian soldiers emplaced mines along sections of the border to strengthen security and installed warning signs.[16] At the Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings held in June 2021, Armenia’s representative did not confirm or deny the alleged landmine use in the border area in May 2021.

On 12 June 2021, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that 15 detained Armenians had been handed back over to Armenia, in exchange for maps from Armenia showing the location of around 97,000 landmines laid in the Aghdam region, one of seven territories outside of Nagorno-Karabakh that Azerbaijan regained control over during the 2020 fighting.[17] According to Azerbaijan’s president, Iham Aliyev, however, the accuracy of these maps does not exceed 25%.[18]

In September 2022, hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan reignited when Azerbaijan claimed that Armenian forces had “mined the territories and supply roads” of Azerbaijan army units.[19] The previous month, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense claimed to have unearthed and defused a total of 1,318 Armenian-produced PMN-E antipersonnel mines, in the Lachin region.[20]

Armenia denied these claims and stated in a letter to the Security Council, dated 13 September 2022, that Azerbaijan was “disseminating false information…in preparation for launching armed aggression.”[21]

 


[1] Statement of Armenia, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, held virtually, 21 June 2021.

[2] According to the letter, “Armenia believes that once an agreement on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is reached, a complete and safe demining of the areas affected by the conflict will become possible in cooperation with all parties concerned.” Letter from Armen Yedigarian, Head of Department of Arms Control and International Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 29 April 2010.

[3] Armenia has never participated in a Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty, but attended the treaty’s Meetings of States Parties in 2002, 2006, 2008, and 2021 as an observer, as well as several intersessional meetings.

[5] Letter from Armen Yedigarian, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 29 April 2010.

[6] Ibid.

[7] PMN-E is a non-standard nomenclature used by Azerbaijan to refer to PMN-1 antipersonnel blast mines that they claim are produced by Armenia. Further investigation is warranted to establish the provenance of these mines.

[8] Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, “Mines buried by provocateurs of the Armenian armed forces were detected,” 17 September 2022; and Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, “Liberated territories of Azerbaijan are being cleared of Armenian mines,” 8 September 2022.

[9] Letter from the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations (UN), addressed to the President of the Security Council, 13 September 2022.

[10] Letter from Armen Yedigarian, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2009; and email from Arman Akopian, Director for Arms Control and International Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 24 August 2005. See also, ICBL, Landmine Monitor Report 2005: Toward a Mine-Free World (Ottawa: Mines Action Canada, October 2005), pp. 658–659. Azerbaijan accused Armenian armed forces of continuing to use antipersonnel mines in 2007 and 2008, but did not provide any evidence to substantiate the claims. See, ICBL, Landmine Monitor Report 2009: Toward a Mine-Free World (Ottawa: Mines Action Canada, October 2009), p. 873.

[11] Interview with Col. Vostanik Adoyan, Head of Engineering Corps, Ministry of Defense, Yerevan, 25 February 2004.

[13] Statement of Armenia, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, held virtually, 21 June 2021.

[15] Ani Avetisyan, “Six Armenian Soldiers Captured by Azerbaijani Forces,” OC Media, 27 May 2021.

[17] Joshua Kucera, “Armenia and Azerbaijan exchange detainees for mine maps,” Eurasianet, 12 June 2021.

[18] President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, “The CNN Turk TV channel has interviewed Ilham Aliyev,” 14 August 2021.

[20] Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, “Uchdik-Girkhgiz-Saribaba high grounds are cleared of Armenian mines,” 22 August 2022.

[21] Letter from the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN, addressed to the President of the Security Council, 13 September 2022.


Impact

Last updated: 09 February 2021

Jump to a specific section of the profile:

Treaty Status Management & Coordination | Impact (contamination & casualties) Addressing the Impact (land release, risk education, victim assistance)

Country summary

Mine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) contamination in the Republic of Armenia is primarily the consequence of the armed conflict with Azerbaijan in 1988–1994 over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, in which both sides used mines, with the heaviest contamination along the borders with Azerbaijan.

In September 2020, tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the contested territory of Nagorno-Karabakh escalated and resulted in the use of cluster munitions by both sides in October of the same year. Armenia fired cluster munitions at the city of Barda in Azerbaijan, killing at least 21 civilians and wounding at least 70,[1] while Azerbaijan fired cluster munitions upon residential areas of Nagorno-Karabakh.[2] (See Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh impact profiles for further information).

Risk education was conducted in Armenia by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).[3] The Armenian Red Cross also began a risk education program in conjunction with the Foundation for Demining and Demolition, in June 2020.[4]

There is a “mine victim’s rehabilitation and reintegration program” in Armenia which is overseen by the Armenian Center for Humanitarian Demining and Expertise (CHDE).[5]

Treaty status

Treaty status overview 

Mine Ban Treaty

Non-signatory

Convention on Cluster Munitions

Non-signatory

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

State Party

 

Management and coordination

Mine action management and coordination

Mine action management and coordination overview 

Mine Action commenced

2011

National mine action management actors

CHDE

Mine action legislation

Draft law submitted to the National Assembly for review in 2018

Mine action strategic and operational plans

Updated National Strategic Plan on Mine Action developed in 2018 and awaiting final approval

Mine action standards

National Mine Action Standards (NMAS)

 

Management and coordination

The CHDE was established in 2011 and became the National Mine Action Centre in 2013.[6] It has an advisory board, represented by the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Territorial Administration, the Ministry of Education and Science, and the Ministry of Justice.[7]

Armenia manages and funds its mine action program independently. From 1993 to 2015, the United States reported contributing more than US$13.6 million to Armenia, primarily for training and capacity development. 2015 was the last year the United States provided funding to Armenia.[8] (See Armenia support for mine action profile for more information).

In 2019 CHDE benefited from the GICHD regional cooperation program.[9]

Legislation and standards

In August 2018, a draft mine action law, developed with the support of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), had been submitted to the National Assembly for review.[10] In 2019, the CHDE was expected to submit the draft law to the new Parliament of Armenia for government approval and adoption but no further progress has been reported.

National Mine Action Standards (NMAS) have been in place since 2014 and amended in 2018.

Strategies and policies

A draft National Strategic Plan on Mine Action included addressing antipersonnel mine contamination with a humanitarian impact, as well as integration of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into demining work.[11]

Information management

The CHDE maintains a mine victims database. In 2019, information regarding 70 individuals was uploaded.[12]

 Risk education management and coordination

Risk education management and coordination overview

Government focal point

CHDE

Coordination mechanisms

None

Risk education standards

None

 

Coordination

The ICRC is the main risk education provider in Armenia. While there is a risk education department within CHDE, it is underfunded and does not have capacity to run effective risk education campaigns itself. 

Standards

There are no national risk education standards in Armenia. The ICRC conducts its activities in accordance with IMAS and the “Risk Awareness and Safer Behaviour Guidelines.”[13]

Victim assistance management and coordination 

Victim Assistance management and coordination overview[14]

Government focal points

CHDE

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is responsible for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities

Coordination mechanisms

The CHDE coordinates the victim assistance strategy and programs with support from the ICRC

 

Coordination

Since the 2018 political transition, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has been in the process of internal restructuring to improve the use of resources to address the needs of persons with disabilities.[15] 

Impact

Contamination

Contamination overview (as of December 2019)

Landmines

Extent of contamination: Small

Cluster munition remnants

Extent of contamination: Small

Other ERW contamination

Extent of contamination: Unknown

Note: ERW=explosive remnants of war.

 

Landmine contamination

Four out of 11 provinces in Armenia are contaminated by landmines.

The CHDE has identified three priority areas for clearance:[16]

  • Baghanis community, a border village located in the north-eastern Tavush region. There were 282 households and 955 people living in the community. Two confirmed hazardous areas (CHAs), covering a total area of 8,100m2, were identified during non-technical survey (NTS). Both CHAs are contaminated by TM-62 and TM-57 type antivehicle mines.
  • Chakaten community, a border village located in the south-eastern Syunik region which borders Nagorno-Karabakh. There were 64 households and 118 people living in the community. Three CHAs were identified during NTS, covering a total area of 23,700m2. The eastern and south-eastern parts of the community are contaminated by both antivehicle and antipersonnel mines (MON100, OZM-72, PMN-2, TM-62P3, and TM57) as well as ERW in the form of 100mm artillery shells. In August 2020, two landmines were found near a building in Sisian town, Syunik region.[17]
  • Hartashen, a border village located in Syunik region. There were 157 households and 749 people living in the community. Three CHAs were identified in the community through NTS. These CHAs equate to a combined area of 233,800m2. Contamination is by both antipersonnel and antivehicle mines (OZM-72, PMN-2, TM-62, and TM-57). Two of these CHAs run alongside a 2km-long section of highway. 

Cluster munition remnant contamination

Cluster munition contamination resulting from the September 2020 escalation in conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has affected Nagorno-Karabakh rather than the internationally recognized territory of Armenia (see Nagorno-Karabakh impact profile for more information).

Casualties

Casualties overview[18]

All known casualties through to end of 2019

635 casualties (129 killed, 355 injured, 151 unknown)

 

Casualties in 2019

Annual total

2 (decrease from 4 in 2018)

Survival outcome

2 injured

Device type causing casualties

Antipersonnel mines

Civilian status

1 civilian, 1 military

Age and gender

Both casualties were adult men 

 

Casualties in 2019: details

Two casualties were recorded in 2019 during separate mine incidents. On 16 January 2019, a civilian man was injured in Barekamavan village, Tavush region, when he stepped on a landmine.[19] On 18 November 2019, an Armenian soldier was wounded after the explosion of a landmine on the frontline in Tavush region.[20]

Addressing the impact

Mine action

Operators and service providers

Clearance Operators

National

Armenian Peacekeeping Engineering Brigade (PKEB) under the CHDE

 

Clearance

Clearance overview (as of December 2019)[21]

Clearance in 2019

0.01km² (16,180m2)

Ordnance destroyed in 2019

Antipersonnel mines (of unreported type and quantity other than one OZM-72)

125mm and 73mm projectiles (unreported quantity)

F1 hand grenades (unreported quantity)

Landmine clearance in 2015-2019

2015: 0.07km²

2016: 0.02km²

2017: 0

2018: 0.02km²

2019: 0.01km²

Total land cleared: 0.12km²

Progress

Uncertain

 

Demining in Armenia has been slow with the amount of land cleared between 2015–2019 totaling 0.12km².[22] However, no target date has been set for completion of mine clearance in the country due to the uncertainty of future capacity and funding.

The CHDE was forced to suspend many of its physical operations during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but did continue with clearance of two areas in the Syunik region throughout the year.[23] 

Land release: landmines

During 2018 a total of 25,000m2 was released to municipal authorities.[24] The CHDE reported clearing 16,180m² in 2019.[25]

Risk education

Operators and service providers 

Risk education operators

Type of organization

Name of organization

Type of activity

Governmental

CHDE

Risk education activities primarily for children

International

ICRC

Integrates risk education with other interventions along frontline border villages in Armenia

 

Beneficiary numbers

In 2019 the CHDE delivered risk education sessions to 42 children and six adult volunteers at a summer camp alongside 11,024 children and teachers in schools across eight regions. No disaggregated data on risk education beneficiaries is publicly available.[26]

Implementation

Risk education is predominantly conducted in rural areas in Armenia. It focuses on the threat from landmines, antivehicle mines, unexploded submunitions, and other ERW, as well as safety from active shooting and shelling. Throughout 2019, the CHDE delivered risk education sessions to children in schools across the regions of Aragatsotn, Ararat, Gegharkunik, Kotayk, Lori, Tavush, and Syunik, and Yerevan.[27] The CHDE also delivered risk education messaging to children during a state-run summer camp for children from Shirak, Syunik, and Tavush regions.[28]

The ICRC focuses on delivering risk education in rural villages along the frontline between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Risk education messaging is typically delivered via face-to-face means, predominantly in schools and through house-to-house visits.[29] During 2018 and 2019, the ICRC conducted several sessions of a “forum theatre” project in schools, whereby pupils were trained for one week to put on a play with risk education messages.[30]

Target groups

The CHDE maintains casualty data that can be analyzed to target risk education.[31] It has also delivered risk education messaging to children through schools and summer camps.

The ICRC identified adult men as the demographic most at risk of mine/ERW accidents. Although they are also the hardest to reach as they are usually working at the time that risk education sessions are delivered.[32] In addition, children going to school in frontline areas are taught “safer classroom” drills as a response to shooting or shelling, while teachers and parents are also targeted to ensure they understand and support the messages given to children.

Major developments in risk education in 2019

In 2019 the ICRC in Armenia worked on the development of digital and interactive methods for an online education platform for students and teachers. This was still in development at the end of 2019.[33] Plans for 2020 included the training of teachers and parents in risk education.

In May 2020, the CHDE signed a project agreement with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Support and Procurement Agency for the delivery of a two-year risk education program to begin in June 2020. The program was expected to be implemented by the Armenian Red Cross Society and to target 35,000 residents of Armenia including: volunteers and instructors of the Armenian Red Cross Society, community leaders and representatives of the community administrations, teachers and students from target communities’ schools; women and children outside of the schools in those target areas, and herders and farmers.[34]

Victim assistance

Providers and activities

Victim assistance providers[35]

Type of organization

Name of organization

Type of activity

Governmental

CHDE

Cooperates with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs

Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs

Provides medical treatment, financial assistance and rehabilitation including prosthetics

National

Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS)

Physical rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and vocational training

International

ICRC

Assists the CHDE in coordinating victim assistance

 

The CHDE, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs, runs the “Mine Victim’s Rehabilitation and Reintegration Program,” funded by the Armenian government.[36] The ARCS supported activities through the Gratsia International Rehabilitation Center in Yerevan. In 2020, some 860 persons with disabilities, five refugees, and 41 military personnel, including those wounded during the escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh, conflict were treated at the center. [37]

Persons with disabilities experienced discrimination in health care, social and psychological rehabilitation, education, transportation, communication, employment, social protection, cultural events, and use of the internet. Women with disabilities faced further discrimination, including in social acceptance and access to health and reproductive care, education, and employment.[38]



[1] See Amnesty International, “Armenia/Azerbaijan: First confirmed use of cluster munitions by Armenia ‘cruel and reckless,” 29 October 2020; and Human Rights Watch (HRW), “Armenia: Cluster Munitions Kill Civilians in Azerbaijan,” 30 October 2020.

[3] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Maryam Walton, Weapon Contamination Coordinator, ICRC, Armenia and Azerbaijan, 29 April 2020.

[4] Armenian Red Cross Society, “Explosive Remnants of War and Mine Risk Education Program in the Republic of Armenia,’ undated, last accessed on 30 November 2020.

[5] CHDE, News webpage, “CHDE SNCO has been given the right to carry out entrepreneurial activity in the framework of humanitarian demining,” 5 August 2020.

[6] Email from Ruben Arakelyan, Director, CHDE, 8 June 2015.

[7] Republic of Armenia, “Centre for Humanitarian Demining and Expertise,” undated, last accessed on 21 November 2019.

[8] US Department of State, “To Walk the Earth in Safety,” Washington DC, 2016, p. 31.

[9] GICHD, “Annual Report 2019,” p. 23.

[10] Emails from Ruben Arakelyan, Director, CHDE, 28 April 2017.

[11] Emails from Margaret Lazyan, Head of Mine Risk Education and Victim Assistance, CHDE, 8 August and 27 September 2018.

[12] CHDE, News webpage, “More than 11,000 pupils are already aware of rules of safe behaviour,” 25 December 2019.

[13] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Maryam Walton, Weapon Contamination Coordinator, ICRC, Armenia and Azerbaijan, 29 April 2020.

[14] See, US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, “2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Armenia,” p. 35; and Republic of Armenia, “OSCE Questionnaire on Anti-Personnel Mines,” 29 May 2020, p. 3

[15] US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, “2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Armenia,” p. 35.

[16] Republic of Armenia, “Center for Humanitarian Demining & Expertise: Projects,” undated, last accessed on 30 November 2020.

[17]Two Landmines Found in Armenia’s Sisian,” News am, 24 August 2020.

[18] Casualty data sourced from: Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), curated data file: Central Asia, 2019; and interview with Amalya Vanesyan, CHDE, Geneva, 7 and 8 June 2018.

[19] “1 injured as landmine explodes on Armenia-Azerbaijan border,” News am, 16 January 2019; and Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) casualty data by email from Jennifer Dathan, Researcher, AOAV, 5 October 2020.

[20] The Monitor analysis of ACLED data for calendar year 2019. Approved citation: Clionadh Raleigh, Andrew Linke, Håvard Hegre, and Joakim Karlsen, “Introducing ACLED-Armed Conflict Location and Event Data,” Journal of Peace Research, Issue 47(5), 2010, pp. 651–660.

[21] CHDE, News webpage, “No Mines in the Forest Near the Highway of Davit Bek Residence,” 21 October 2019.

[22] Ibid.; See also previous Landmine Monitor reports on Armenia in 2016–2018.

[23] Email from Margaret Lazyan, Head of Mine Risk Education and Victim Assistance, CHDE, 9 April 2020.

[24] CHDE, News webpage, “No Mines in the Forest Near the Highway of Davit Bek Residence,” 21 October 2019.

[25] Ibid.

[26] CHDE, News webpage, “More than 11,000 pupils are already aware of rules of safe behaviour.” 25 December 2019; and “Camp for the Children from Armenia and Artsakh,” 23 July 2019.

[27] CHDE, News webpage, “More than 11,000 pupils are already aware of rules of safe behaviour,” 25 December 2019.

[28] CHDE, News webpage, “Camp for the Children from Armenia and Artsakh,” 23 July 2019.

[29] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Maryam Walton, Weapon Contamination Coordinator, ICRC, Armenia and Azerbaijan, 29 April 2020.

[30] Ibid.

[31] Ibid.

[32] Ibid.

[33] Ibid.

[34] Armenian Red Cross Society, “Explosive remnants of war and Mine Risk Education Program in the Republic of Armenia,” undated, last accessed on 30 November 2020; and CHDE, News webpage, “The project on ‘The explosive ordnance risk education’ has been launched,” 27 May 2020.

[35] For ARCS, see, ARCS, “Gratsia International Rehabilitation Center,” undated.

[36] Republic of Armenia, “OSCE Questionnaire on Anti-Personnel Mines,” 29 May 2020, p. 3; and CHDE, News webpage, “CHDE SNCO has been given the right to carry out entrepreneurial activity in the framework of humanitarian demining,” 5 August 2020.

[37] ARCS, “Gratsia International Rehabilitation Center,” undated, last accessed on 30 November 2020.

[38] US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, “2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Armenia,” p. 35. 


Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 14 November 2016

In 2015, the United States (US) awarded a grant of US$301,000 to the IFT Enhancing Human Security to support clearance efforts and build capacity of the Armenian Center for Humanitarian Demining and Expertise (CHDE).[1]

In the five-year period from 2011 to 2015, the US has been the sole donor to mine action activities in Armenia, with total contributions totaling some $2.7 million.

Summary of international contributions: 2011–2015[2]

Year

Total contributions (US$)

2015

300,000

2014

301,000

2013

700,000

2012

391,000

2011

1,000,000

Total

2,692,000



[1] US Department of State, “To Walk the Earth in Safety 2016,” Washington, DC, 2016, p. 31.

[2] See previous Monitor reports.