Govt, KIA using landmines in recent skirmishes: UNICEF
The Myanmar army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) have been using land mines in recent skirmishes in Kachin and northern Shan State, according to UNICEF.
Most of the war victims, including about 1,000 children, have already fled to temporary camps due to current clashes between the army and the KIA in Man Wein Gyi Region in Southern Kachin State.
Despite clashes decreasing in the last few days, tensions are still high on both sides. The use of mines means that many of those displaced may still be in danger even after the fighting has stopped.
The remaining landmines are highly dangerous for local people, including children, and are a constant threat for humanitarian organisations attempting to provide aid to war victims, says UNICEF.
Kachin and Northern Shan States are the areas in Myanmar most affected by landmines, according to UNICEF’s resident representative for Myanmar.
Myanmar stands fifth position among eight countries where over 100 people have been killed by landmines, according to a report by Handicap International.
“There are two kinds of landmines, namely handmade and factory-made mines. A factory-made mine can last for many years. Moreover, the mines are of different types. For example, the handmade mine planted in Southern Kayin State is different from the one planted in Northern Kayin State, said an officer from the Myanmar Peace Center.
A total of 161 nations signed the Mine Ban Treaty in 1997, which bans antipersonnel landmines and requires their clearance as well as assistance to victims.
In another development, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific and the Myanmar government organised a two-day workshop in Nay Pyi Taw last week to assist government agencies involved in small arms and light weapons control.
The workshop gathered around 50 government officials across the security sector to discuss the policy and technical issues of implementing the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons.
They included topics from relevant international and regional instruments to the safe management of stockpiles of weapons and ammunition. The convening of the workshop provided a good opportunity to share best practices between local officials, as well as with participating international experts.
It was supported by the German government and financially by Switzerland.
To date, 23 out of the 43 states in the Asia-Pacific region, covered by the mandate of United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, have submitted national implementation reports.
