NGO Forum on ADB strongly condemns the use of white phosphorus munitions in the war over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).
The current conflict has witnessed the use of white phosphorus munitions containing elements of chemical weapons in the primary forests of Artsakh in an attempt to burn down parts of the forests where-civilians are taking shelter. This is a gross violation of International Humanitarian Law, Geneva Convention, and Chemical Weapons Convention, Convention on the Prohibition of Military or any other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Technique.
The use of white phosphorus munitions also destroys valuable ecosystems & habitats and put threatened species at the risk of extinction and will contaminate rivers & underground waters for years, thus turning it into a major threat to all the people and wildlife living in the region.
The region is well-known for its high rate of endemism and for being home to more than 6000 plant species, 153 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, and other living organisms. Hundreds of plant and animal species found in Artsakh are listed both in the local Red Book and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species having a protection status at a global level.
Once again, the Forum network is strongly condemning this act and hopes that the usage of white phosphorus munitions be put to a stop before the situation escalates and results in environmental disaster and regional ecocide.
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